Effectiveness of Orthopneic Position on Comfort Among Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD) Patients: A True Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD) is a chronic respiratory condition distinguished by enduring airflow obstruction. Individuals with this condition frequently struggle with significant physical discomfort, breathlessness, and a decline in their overall well-being. Consequently, non-pharmacological nursing interventions, such as specific postural positioning, are vital for effective symptom control and the enhancement of patient comfort. Objective: The primary goal of this research was to evaluate how the orthopneic position impacts comfort levels among patients living with COLD. Methods: This study utilized a true experimental, pre-test post-test control group design, incorporating repeated measures. A sample of 63 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COLD at a tertiary care institution was recruited via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=32) or a control group (n=31). The experimental cohort underwent the orthopneic intervention—characterized by a forward-leaning posture supported by a cardiac table—for a duration of 6 minutes, three times daily over three successive days. Comfort was measured utilizing a validated structured scale. Results: Both groups demonstrated demographic homogeneity at the start of the study, with the exception of age and educational background. Baseline comfort levels showed no significant variance between groups. A repeated measures ANOVA indicated a highly significant enhancement in comfort levels within the experimental group throughout the intervention period (F=5.43, p<0.001). Pairwise analysis revealed that comfort gains became statistically significant starting from the third observation (p<0.05) compared to pre-intervention baseline, whereas the control group displayed little to no change in comfort scores. Conclusion: The orthopneic position serves as an accessible, cost-efficient, and highly effective non-pharmacological nursing strategy for elevating comfort in COLD patients. It is recommended that this technique be systematically integrated into routine respiratory nursing care protocols.