Quality of Life After Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Assessing Change Using Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to use quantitative and qualitative research methods to evaluate quality-of-life (QOL) changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after pulmonary rehabilitation. SUBJECTS: Twenty-nine individuals with COPD (18 women and 11 men), with a mean age of 69 years (SD=8.6, range=53-92), participated. METHODS: Subjects were assessed before and after a 5-week control phase and after a 5-week rehabilitation phase using the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ), the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and spirometry. Our qualitative research was based on a subsample of 7 subjects who were interviewed after pulmonary rehabilitation. RESULTS: Pulmonary rehabilitation improved QOL, as demonstrated by increases of 22% and 14% in the physical function categories of the CRQ and the SF-36, respectively, and by an increase of 10% in the CRQ's emotional function category. The qualitative data indicated how pulmonary rehabilitation influenced QOL. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The use of both quantitative and qualitative methods illustrated the nature of improvement in QOL after pulmonary rehabilitation. Improved physical function, less dyspnea, and a heightened sense of control over the subjects' COPD resulted in increased confidence and improved emotional well-being.