Hypnosis for the Management of Anxiety and Breathlessness During a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prone to breathlessness, chest tightness and other anxiety-inducing symptoms. Medical therapy for the condition focus on improving these symptoms and preventing exacerbations. However, as the disease progresses, pharmacological therapies become less and less effective. Patients with advanced COPD often feel less benefit from the treatment in terms of relief from their symptoms and relief from anxiety about their breathing. Hypnosis is known to induce immediate changes in how a person thinks and experiences their body. These changes can break vicious cycles of anxiety. Hypnosis has already been used successfully people with breathing problems to reduce anxiety and improve breathing. This trial aims to investigate the effect of hypnosis as a complementary technique for the self-management of breathlessness and anxiety during a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program (PRP). As a secondary measure, the investigators aim to uncover whether the use of self-hypnosis remains useful during the three months following the PRP, after discharge from hospital.