Randomized Controlled Trial of Mind-Body Breathing Therapy (in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) To Improve Palliation of Dyspnea and Health-Related Quality of Life

Dyspnea (shortness of breath) is a complex experience that includes interpretation of physical impairments and associated distress to the person. The role of mind-body interactions in the experience of the symptom of dyspnea suggests that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies may be effective in abating dyspnea and improving patients' health-related quality of life. CAM strategies work in a number of ways that are directly applicable to dyspnea, such as decreasing the stress response, inducing relaxation, and facilitating a less distressful interpreted experience of physical disorders. We have combined a number of established CAM approaches aimed at breath-centered mindfulness and relaxation into an single therapy, mind-body breathing therapy (MBBT). The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of MBBT in improving dyspnea and health-related quality of life for patients with emphysema (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).