ABSTRACT
Despite optimal medical and pharmacological therapy, at one time or
another, most individuals with cardiopulmonary disease will experience either acute or chronic progressive dyspnea (shortness of breath). Whether
experiencing acute dyspnea during a limited period or consistently with
activities of daily living, people need interventions or strategies that they
are confident will help them reduce and control this life-threatening, dis-
tressing symptom. The purpose of this chapter is to review the theoretical
foundations for ‘‘coping’’ and ‘‘self-management’’ strategies to reduce
shortness of breath, to present the evidence from controlled studies for
the effectiveness of these strategies, and to discuss clinical and patient experiences that suggest efficacy of strategies when a scientific foundation
is not available.
