Investigation of the Effect of Structured Energy Conservation Techniques Training on COPD Patients

NCT07581132 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: !---''ZEYNEP-ASAL-000000000001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung disease characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough, sputum production, and/or exacerbations) due to persistent, often progressive airflow obstruction resulting from abnormalities in the airways (bronchiolitis, bronchitis) and/or alveoli (emphysema). COPD is a multifaceted disease that is not limited to respiratory symptoms but also negatively affects individuals' functional capacity, physical endurance, and participation in daily living activities. Common symptoms include shortness of breath (dyspnea) and a significant feeling of fatigue; this can lead to decreased exercise capacity, limitations in daily living activities, and ultimately dependence over time. Therefore, in the treatment of COPD, not only drug therapy but also interventions aimed at symptom control and improving functional capacity are becoming increasingly important. Energy conservation techniques, included in pulmonary rehabilitation programs, are based on the view that dyspnea occurs most intensely during daily living activities, and that performing these activities in an energy-conserving manner will result in less dyspnea. Energy conservation techniques are one of the trainings given to improve symptom management in COPD patients. Disease symptoms can increase in COPD patients during tasks such as washing hair, drying hair, shaving, reaching, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling weights. When appropriate body mechanics and tools that facilitate tasks are used, the amount of energy required during these tasks decreases. In this way, it is thought that patients will be more active in their daily living activities. Breathing exercises are also a component of pulmonary rehabilitation and support the increase of respiratory muscle function and exercise tolerance. Accordingly, it is thought that structured energy conservation techniques training can improve daily living activities, fatigue, and exercise capacity in COPD patients. This research will be conducted as a pre-test-post-test, single-blind, randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of structured energy conservation techniques training on daily living activities, fatigue, and exercise capacity in COPD patients.

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Keywords

Activities of Daily Living; COPD; Energy Conservation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Activities of Daily Living Scale

  The "Activities of Daily Living Scale" specific to COPD patients is based on the 12 activities of daily living (ensuring a safe environment, communication, breathing, feeding, excretion, personal hygiene and clothing, body temperature control, movement, work and leisure, sexual expression, sleep, and death) specified in the nursing model. The Activities of Daily Living Scale consists of 12 sub-dimensions and 47 items. The development of this scale utilizes the validity and reliability assessment principles adopted in the literature. It is developed by the researcher.

  1 month

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale

  1 month

• Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

  1 month

Study Arms (2)

intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Structured energy conservation techniques training will be conducted with this group. The 'structured energy conservation techniques training,' conducted by the researcher, will last approximately 20-30 minutes. A brochure will be used as training material. Videos related to the topic will be utilized during the training. The videos used in the training will be shared with patients via WhatsApp, and patients will be asked to review the brochure twice a week. During the four-week follow-up period, reminders will be sent to these patients twice a week via WhatsApp or phone calls.

Other: Structured Energy Conservation Techniques Training

control group

NO INTERVENTION

Routine procedures will be carried out.

Interventions

Structured Energy Conservation Techniques Training OTHER

Energy conservation techniques (ECT) consist of personal energy conservation methods while performing physical activities. These approaches modify or reduce the energy requirements of activities. Thanks to ECT, it is possible to complete physical activity with little or no dyspnea (Özyılmaz and Gürses, 2012). ECT training consists of six principles: prioritizing activities, planning a daily schedule, adjusting it to suit oneself, positioning, pursed-lip breathing, and a positive attitude (Pohaci, Riani, and Hartoyo, 2013). The content of ECT training includes teaching diaphragmatic breathing to the patient, encouraging them to perform activities requiring upper limb support while seated, emphasizing the importance of asking for help from family members when needed, planning the day and allocating time for rest, holding materials between the shoulder blade and pelvis, avoiding bending, training on proper postures, and demonstrating how to perform activities (Velloso, 2006).

intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients who have been admitted to the pulmonary diseases ward or have applied to the pulmonary diseases outpatient clinic,
• Patients diagnosed with COPD,
• Patients in category E of the GOLD A, B, E classification (patients experiencing more than 2 moderate exacerbations or having multiple hospitalizations) (GOLD, 2025)
• Patients over 40 years of age (Adeloye et al, 2015).
• Patients who will continue their health check-ups at the Isparta City Hospital Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic,
• Patients who agree to participate in the study,
• Patients or at least one of their relatives who can read and write,
• Patients or at least one of their relatives who does not have communication problems will be included in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with serious orthopedic problems that may have a significant impact on daily activities,
• Patients with progressive neuromuscular disease,
• Patients who have experienced unstable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction within the last month,
• Patients living alone,
• Patients in groups A and B of the GOLD ABE classification will not be included. For patients in group A, mMRC 0-1, CAT\<10 are used as criteria; for patients in group B, mMRC≥2, CAT≥10 are used as criteria (GOLD, 2025).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Akdeniz University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Isparta Şehir Hastanesi

Isparta, 32040, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Zeynep Asal, NURSE

CONTACT

539 386 19 72; zasal1889@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 6, 2026
• First Posted: May 12, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): July 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 10, 2027
• Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

TU (1)