Yoga for Treating Shortness of Breath in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Yoga for Treating Shortness of Breath in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of yoga in reducing
 shortness of breath in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients in
 this study must have moderate to severe COPD and be primarily limited by shortness of breath.
Management of dyspnea (shortness of breath) is a major concern for patients with COPD. The
 efficacy of complementary exercises to manage dyspnea is unknown. Complementary exercises may
 be more congruent with patients' lifestyles and values than traditional exercise programs and
 can be adapted to changes in illness severity and disability. Yoga practice is a
 complementary therapy that people use to manage their dyspnea. The aims of this study are to:
 1) develop a safe and feasible yoga program for patients with COPD; 2) test the efficacy of
 this program; and 3) determine whether physical performance, psychological well being, and
 health-related quality of life are positively affected by yoga practice.

 Patients in this study will be randomized to receive yoga training or usual care for 12
 weeks. Patients will be evaluated at study entry, after each session, and immediately after
 the training program.
Inclusion criteria:

 -  Able to commit to a 12-week yoga class in San Francisco, California

 -  Moderate to severe COPD, clinically stable for at least 1 month prior to study entry

 -  Forced Expiratory Volume at one minute (FEV1) < 49% predicted after inhaled
 bronchodilator

 -  Activities of daily living limited by shortness of breath

 -  Ability to speak English and sign consent

 -  Patients receiving supplemental oxygen will be acceptable if their O2 saturation can
 be maintained at > 85% on < 6 L/min of nasal oxygen

 Exclusion criteria:

 -  Symptomatic illness (e.g., cancer, left heart failure, ischemic heart disease,
 neuromuscular disease, psychiatric illness)

 -  Formal pulmonary rehabilitation training within 1 year prior to study entry