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Breathing Easier with OT

Nearly 16 million adults have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and over half are women. COPD is an ongoing lung disease that blocks the ability to move air in and out of the lungs; emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main conditions which lead to COPD. Not only is COPD a major cause of disability, but it is also the sixth leading cause of deaths in the U.S.

Because the disease changes the ability to breathe, living with COPD is challenging. Examples of day-to-day challenges are:

• Climbing stairs can lead to breathlessness and fatigue even after a few steps.
• Taking a shower with heat and steam can trigger shortness of breath.
• While cooking over a hot stove, bending to retrieve something can cause difficulty in breathing.

Thankfully, occupational therapy (OT) can help manage COPD symptoms and improve the overall quality of life for those with the disease.

Through personalized interventions, OT can play a critical role in supporting individuals with COPD. A recent study found that after completing a rehabilitation program that included occupational therapy (OT), people with COPD were able to do daily activities using less of their maximum lung and heart capacity, so they felt less tired and short of breath. Here are three ways OT can help those with COPD.

1. Energy conservation techniques. For individuals with COPD, fatigue can be a constant companion. Everyday tasks can become exhausting and lead to frustration. Occupational therapists can share how to save energy doing activities and help people with COPD have enough energy for the activities that matter most. This guidance may incorporate prioritizing tasks, breaking tasks into smaller steps, tracking one’s energy throughout the day, or adjusting the home to minimize unnecessary movement. These simple adjustments can help reduce breathlessness and fatigue, improving the ability to take part in daily life.

2. Breathing strategies. COPD limits lung function, making breathing difficult. OT can provide breathing strategies into daily routines to ease this burden. Techniques like pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing can improve oxygen intake and new bathing postures can relieve or reduce breathlessness during showers. Claudia Cavey, RN at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, explains, “These exercises can help you stay relaxed when you feel your symptoms escalate and even prevent shortness of breath from occurring in the first place.”

3. Home modifications and assistive devices. Nearly 50% of people with COPD report less activity, and the risk of falls for those with COPD can increase as much as 46%. Occupational therapists can assess the home environment to improve mobility and safety for individuals with COPD. Modifications like raised seating, grab bars, or even strategic furniture placement can create spaces that require less energy to navigate and reduce fall risk. Occupational therapists can also help obtain and train mobility devices. Canes, walkers, and wheelchairs can support movement with greater ease and comfort. By reducing the physical strain, people can conserve energy for meaningful activities.

Given its progressive nature, COPD can severely limit daily activities and independence. That’s where OT comes in—by offering a proactive, individualized approach to managing COPD, occupational therapists empower individuals to take control of their condition and live fuller, more independent lives. As we observe COPD Awareness Month in November, let’s also recognize OT as an essential component of COPD management.