The effect of self‑care program based on the Orem self‑care model on fatigue and quality of life in patients with COPD

Context: Fatigue and the reduced quality of life are among the most common problems of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affecting all aspects of life in these patients.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of self‑care program based on the Orem self‑care model on fatigue and quality of life in patients with COPD.

Setting and Design: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 66 patients with COPD who were admitted to hospitals of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Materials and Methods: The patients were randomized either to the intervention group or control group using random numbers by random allocation software. The intervention group received self‑care program based on the Orem’s self‑care theory, including four educational sessions as well as a 2‑month follow‑up. The control group received only usual care. The needed data were collected using the Fatigue Severity Scale and 12‑item Short‑Form Health Survey questionnaire once before and once after the interventions and then analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistics.

Statistical Analysis Used: These data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and analytic statistics.

Results: In the intervention group, the mean score of fatigue reduced and the mean score of quality of life significantly increased after performing the interventions (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mean scores of fatigue and quality of life were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05). The mean changes in terms of fatigue and quality of life scores were significantly greater in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Orem’s self‑care theory is an effective nursing theoretical framework used to reduce fatigue and improve quality of life, thus it can be used for other chronic diseases and conditions as well.