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Review
. 2017 Apr 21;27(1):27.
doi: 10.1038/s41533-017-0024-z.

The Breathing, Thinking, Functioning clinical model: a proposal to facilitate evidence-based breathlessness management in chronic respiratory disease

Anna Spathis  1   2 , Sara Booth  3 , Catherine Moffat  4 , Rhys Hurst  4 , Richella Ryan  3 , Chloe Chin  4 , Julie Burkin  4
Affiliations
Review

The Breathing, Thinking, Functioning clinical model: a proposal to facilitate evidence-based breathlessness management in chronic respiratory disease

Anna Spathis et al. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. .

Abstract

Refractory breathlessness is a highly prevalent and distressing symptom in advanced chronic respiratory disease. Its intensity is not reliably predicted by the severity of lung pathology, with unhelpful emotions and behaviours inadvertently exacerbating and perpetuating the problem. Improved symptom management is possible if clinicians choose appropriate non-pharmacological approaches, but these require engagement and commitment from both patients and clinicians. The Breathing Thinking Functioning clinical model is a proposal, developed from current evidence, that has the potential to facilitate effective symptom control, by providing a rationale and focus for treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The Breathing, Thinking, Functioning clinical model
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Challenging the misconceptions driving each vicious cycle
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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