Proposing a standardized method for evaluating patient report of the intensity of dyspnea during exercise testing in COPD Full Text
International Journal of COPD, 06/04/2012
Clinical Article
Hareendran A et al. – This study provides initial evidence in support of using a standardized version of the modified Borg scale (MBS) version for quantifying dyspnea intensity associated with exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods- A two–stage procedure was used, with each stage involving one–on–one interviews with COPD patients who had recently completed a clinic–based exercise event on a treadmill or cycle ergometer.
- An open–ended elicitation interview technique was used to understand patients' experiences of exercise–induced dyspnea, followed by patients completing the three scales.
- The cognitive interviewing component of the study involved specific questions to evaluate the patients' perspectives of the content and format of the scales.
- Results from Stage 1 were used to develop a standardized version of the MBS, which was then subjected to further content validity assessment during Stage 2.
- Thirteen patients participated in the two–stage process (n = 6; n = 7).
- Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) percent predicted was 40%, mean age 57 years, and 54% were male.
- Participants used a variety of terms to describe the intensity and variability of exercise–induced dyspnea.
- Subjects understood the instructions and format of the standardized MBS, and were able to easily select a response to report the level of dyspnea associated with their recent standardized exercise.
