Physiotherapy management of breathlessness in palliative care

Background. Breathlessness is a one of the most difficult symptoms to manage in palliative care and has primarily been managed by pharmacological measures. Method. Forty patients with lung cancer were audited on their distress from breathlessness and their ability to cope with breathlessness by Visual Analogue Scale. A patient survey also examined individual physiotherapy techniques and attitudes to attending the hospice. Three Personal goals were also agreed with the patient. This article examines individual physiotherapy interventions and how they benefit breathless patients with lung cancer. It also considers the environment in which the patient is treated and their attitudes to attending a hospice out patient department. Results/Conclusion. Results showed that most patients benefited from receiving the breathlessness training, and they found that attending the hospice outpatient clinic a positive experience.Background. Breathlessness is a one of the most difficult symptoms to manage in palliative care and has primarily been managed by pharmacological measures. Method. Forty patients with lung cancer were audited on their distress from breathlessness and their ability to cope with breathlessness by Visual Analogue Scale. A patient survey also examined individual physiotherapy techniques and attitudes to attending the hospice. Three Personal goals were also agreed with the patient. This article examines individual physiotherapy interventions and how they benefit breathless patients with lung cancer. It also considers the environment in which the patient is treated and their attitudes to attending a hospice out patient department. Results/Conclusion. Results showed that most patients benefited from receiving the breathlessness training, and they found that attending the hospice outpatient clinic a positive experience