Exploration of the feasibility to combine patients with COPD and chronic heart failure in self management groups with focus on exercise self-efficacy

Background: High exercise self-efficacy is required for optimal exercise training in both patients with COPD and chronic heart failure (CHF). Aim: To compare exercise self-efficacy, symptoms, functional capacity and health status in COPD and CHF patients, and explore the association of symptoms and exercise self-efficacy. Method: Baseline data from a self-management group-intervention on 150 primary care patients with COPD (n=60), CHF (n=60) and a possible double diagnosis (n=30). Exercise self-efficacy (Swedish SCI Exercise Self-Efficacy Score), dyspnea (mMRC), fatigue (Fatigue Score), pain (five-level question), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), functional capacity (six-minute Walking Test) and health status (VAS) were assessed. Results: The COPD group had fewer men than the CHF group (23vs 40 males; p Conclusion: Similar levels of exercise self-efficacy, symptoms, functional capacity, and health status were found. Symptoms are associated with self-efficacy regardless of diagnosis, sex and age. Joint self-management groups with focus on self-efficacy seem feasible.