Effects of an uncertainty management intervention on uncertainty, anxiety, depression, and quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outpatients

In this controlled, randomized study we explored the effects of an uncertainty management intervention on uncertainty, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outpatients in China. Ninety‐six COPD outpatients completed the study (n = 49 in the intervention group; n = 47 in the control group). Over the 10‐month study duration, the intervention group received a cognitive behavioral intervention. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvement in uncertainty, coping strategy, anxiety, depression, and the mental health domains of QOL after the intervention, providing the first evidence that uncertainty management can improve the emotional status and QOL of COPD outpatients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 35:409–418, 2012