Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disorder and a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although breathing exercises such as pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing are recommended as essential components of pulmonary rehabilitation, many patients have inadequate knowledge and poor practice of these techniques. Structured educational interventions delivered by nurses may improve patient self-management and functional outcomes. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educational intervention on knowledge and practice regarding breathing exercises among COPD patients in selected hospitals of Dehradun. Methods: A quantitative quasi-experimental study with experimental and control groups was conducted among 60 clinically diagnosed COPD patients (30 experimental and 30 control). Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Baseline knowledge and practice were assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire and an observational practice checklist. The experimental group received a structured educational intervention consisting of explanation, demonstration, and supervised practice of pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing techniques, while the control group received routine care. Post-test assessment was conducted after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests. Results: Baseline knowledge and practice scores were low and comparable in both groups. In the experimental group, the mean knowledge score increased from 10.50 ± 3.12 to 21.03 ± 2.84 (p < 0.001), while the mean practice score improved from 4.93 ± 1.46 to 7.57 ± 1.28 (p < 0.05). No statistically significant improvement was observed in the control group. Post-test comparison showed significantly higher knowledge and practice scores in the experimental group compared with the control group. Most demographic variables were not significantly associated with post-test outcomes. Conclusion: The structured educational intervention significantly improved both knowledge and practice of breathing exercises among COPD patients. Integrating nurse-led structured teaching programmes into routine COPD care may enhance patient self-management and pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Breathing Exercises, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Patient Education, Nursing Intervention, Knowledge, Practice.
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