Mindful Breathing Awareness Through Pursed-Lip Breathing Training

For this pilot study patients who meet the conventional criteria for pulmonary rehabilitation
at their clinical appointments will be recruited and scheduled to return for the study. After
completing the informed consent, patients will be taught how to don and doff the pulse
oximeter, the source of the heart rate and oxygen signals. Patients will participate in a
demonstration on how to perform the intervention. Recruitment will continue until five
patients have completed the pilot in a clinic setting. If necessary, the prototype will be
modified and testing resumed. Once the prototype system has met the criteria for success in
the clinic, five of patients will be asked to use the prototype at the clinic and to take it
home for a week and perform the intervention at least five times.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients must be ≥40 years old

- have a diagnosis of GOLD stage II, III, or IV COPD documented by pulmonary function
testing

- have clinically significant breathlessness (breathless when walking on the level or
walking a mild hill)

- be a current or previous smoker with at least 10 pack-years of cigarette smoking

- be hospitalized for an exacerbation of COPD.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with a high likelihood of being lost to follow-up or contact (patients with
active chemical dependency), are planning to move out of the state, are not living in
the healthcare area.

- Patients with an inability to provide good data or follow commands (patients who are
disoriented, have a severe neurologic or psychiatric condition).