Study Shows COPD Rehabilitation Boosted By Social Support

A study of 282 COPD patients has found that social support has added benefits when it comes to rehabilitation. The two-year study asked patients who had COPD from stages two to four about aspects of their living including if they lived with a partner, if they had a caregiver, and the number of close friends they had to see what effect it had on their rehabilitation status.

MORE: Could telephone therapy help COPD patients deal with depression?

According to a report in the Clinical Advisor, those who lived with a partner took an average of 903 steps more per day than those who lived alone. In addition, those who had a caregiver were 11 times more likely to have enrolled in a pulmonary rehabilitation program than those without caregivers.

Those with good social support were marginally less likely to smoke and slightly more likely to have had a pneumonia vaccination. However, medication adherence and having the flu vaccination were not affected by social structure.

MORE: Tips for avoiding pneumonia and other exacerbations when you have COPD

COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.