Pulmonary rehabilitation plays a key role in the management of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease COPD. It offers supervised exercise and education for those with
breathing problems. The nurse plays a key role in identifying potential candidates for
pulmonary rehabilitation, and in facilitating and reinforcing the material learned in
rehabilitation program. Objectives: 1-Assess the effect of diaphragmatic breathing on
pulmonary functions of COPD patients. 2-Assess the effect of pursed-lips breathing on
pulmonary functions of COPD patients. 3-Compare between the effect of diaphragmatic
breathing and pursed-lips breathing on pulmonary functions of COPD patients. Setting: The
study was carried out at Inpatient Medical Chest Disease Unit at Alexandria Main University
Hospital. Subjects: a convenient sample of 60 adult patients of both sexes diagnosed with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, free from co-morbid diseases that affect the result.
The sample was divided randomly into two equal groups, 30 patients each. Group (I) received
diaphragmatic breathing training, Group (II) received pursed-lips breathing. Tools: Two
tools were used in this study. Tool I an interview questionnaire to illicit socio- demographic
data, tool II the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patient pulmonary functions tests
assessment tool. Validity and reliability of the tool were estimated. Results: The study
findings revealed that pulmonary function parameters showed only significant changes in
tidal volume and expiratory reserve volume after exercise training in both groups. There were
significant differences in PaO2, PCO2, SPO2 results among both studied subjects.
Conclusion: Diaphragmatic breathing and Pursed lips breathing have almost equal effect on
improving pulmonary functions of COPD patients. Recommendation: Patient education
regarding pulmonary rehabilitation should be part of the in-service nursing health education
programs.