Authors: (including presenting author): :
WY Choi (1); YY Hou (1); TW Pang (1); CY Lee(1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Tuen Mun Hospital
Keyword 2: :
Health Behavior
Keyword 3: :
Dyspnea management
Keyword 4: :
Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Keyword 5: :
Self-coping behavior
Introduction: :
Recent advances in digital health have the potential to enhance the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to develop and sustain healthy behaviors through interactive processes. Occupational therapists have adopted real-time data for assessment, allowing for customized treatment. At Tuen Mun Hospital, an innovative dyspnea management program has been designed to leverage technology to assist COPD patients in applying breathing training techniques during rehabilitation. Through the use of breathing skill mobile applications, patients are empowered to enhance their dyspnea management skills. These technological innovations facilitate a guided process, empowering patients to cope with their symptoms and live well in the community.
Objectives: :
1. To adopt the digital health training program to improve COPD patients’ ability to manage dyspnea by practicing effective breathing techniques during Activity of Daily Living (ADL) 2. Foster the development of breathing practice habits during hospitalization and sustain these behaviors post-discharge
Methodology: :
COPD patients experiencing shortness of breath (SOB) were recruited for the dyspnea management program in the inpatient rehabilitation ward. The Chinese Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (C-SOBQ) was used to assess the severity of SOB in their ADLs. Participants received education on fundamental concepts, including the mechanics of breathing and techniques applicable to ADLs. Patients practiced these breathing techniques daily using customized mobile applications installed on their own phones. Occupational Therapists set personalized inhale, exhale, and pause duration within the apps. The mobile applications provided reminders and facilitated the habit of training episodes, fostering adherence to practice and extending training beyond the treatment room. After discharge, patients are empowered to use and integrate breathing techniques into their ADL and thus habituate the health behaviors.
Result & Outcome: :
From September 2025 to January 2026, 8 COPD patients participated in the dyspnea management training program. These patients have varying degrees of shortness of breath (SOB) during ADLs. Their score on C-SOBQ ranged from 30 to 95 out of 120. All participants successfully installed the customized breathing mobile applications tailored to their individual training needs. Patients engaged in self-practice within the wards using the mobile applications. Additionally, patients were guided to apply their newly acquired breathing skills in their ADLs after breathing practice. The ADLs were chosen from C-SOBQ during assessment. This approach empowered them to adopt self-coping strategies for managing breathlessness. In conclusion, digital technology enables occupational therapists to implement and customize treatment components for COPD patients, irrespective of their diverse dyspnea conditions. The utilization of mobile applications facilitates the delivery of treatment to patients at any time and in any location. Ultimately, this self-management approach significantly enhances the effectiveness of disease management throughout the various stages of COPD.
