The Effects of Education Alone and in Combination with Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Self-Efficacy in Patients with COPD

This study compared the effects on self‐efficacy of participation by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a pulmonary rehabilitation program that combined education and supervised exercise training with the results demonstrated by participation in a program that provided education alone. Thirty‐seven patients participated in the pulmonary rehabilitation program, and 22 patients participated in the education‐only program. Self‐efficacy, as it effects managing or avoiding breathing difficulty, was measured before and after the programs. Patients' self‐efficacy scores significantly improved after the pulmonary rehabilitation program and remained significantly improved 6 months later. Education alone was also effective in significantly improving self‐efficacy scores, but patients' scores 6 months later were not significantly better than preprogram scores. This study indicates that a rehabilitation program that combines education and exercise training is more effective in improving long‐term self‐efficacy in patients with COPD.