Effects of respiratory training combined with narrative psychological intervention on rehabilitation of pneumoconiosis patients

Objective To investigate the effects of respiratory training combined with narrative psychological intervention on the rehabilitation of pneumoconiosis patients.

Methods A total of 101 patients with pneumoconiosis admitted between April2022 and March 2024 were enrolled. Based on admission dates, they were divided into a control group (n = 50) and an intervention group (n = 51). The control group received pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing training combined with whole-body breathing exercises. The intervention group received the same respiratory training plus narrative psychological intervention. Both interventions lasted for 3 months. Before and after the intervention, the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) of patients were measured. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Herth Hope Index (HHI), and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were used to assess the rehabilitation effects of the two groups before and after the intervention.

Results After the intervention, the patients in the intervention group showed significantly better pulmonary function and exercise tolerance, with higher FEV₁ (2.01 ± 0.20) L, MVV (66.32 ± 6.69) L/min, and 6MWT distance (419.40 ± 44.46) m compared to the patients in the control group (P < 0.05). Anxiety and depression levels were significantly reduced in the intervention group, with lower SAS (48.22 ± 3.06) and SDS (49.65 ± 4.11) scores (P < 0.05). The intervention group's scores for positive attitude, positive action, connectedness, and total hope level were (11.33 ± 1.74) points, (9.88 ± 1.56) points, (10.57 ± 1.46) points, and (31.78 ± 3.06) points, respectively, all of which were higher than those of the control group (all P < 0.001). SGRQ scores of patients in the intervention group were significantly lower at both 1 month (45.70 ± 2.68) and 3 months (42.30 ± 3.14) post-intervention (P < 0.05). Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated significant group effect (F = 13.376), time effect (F = 35.558), and interaction effect (F = 4.504) for SGRQ scores (all P < 0.05), with more pronounced SGRQ score improvement in the intervention group. SGRQ scores in both groups showed a downward trend over time (P < 0.05), with the intervention group consistently scoring lower than the control group at 1 month and 3 months post-intervention (P < 0.05).

Conclusions Respiratory training combined with narrative psychological intervention could effectively enhance respiratory function and exercise tolerance in patients with pneumoconiosis, reduce psychological distress, improve quality of life, and increase levels of hope.