The Effect of wool in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect wool in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study was conducted experimentally on 53 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attending the chest diseases polyclinic of a hospital located in Erzurum. A randomized selection method was used to categorize patients into two groups; a treatment (n = 27), and a control group (n = 26). Patients in the treatment group (pre-test measurements were taken) wore wool vests for a period of three months, while patients in the control group wore cotton vests (placebo) for the same duration; post-test measurements were taken for both groups at the end of the three-month period. The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36, the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, and pulmonary function tests were used to collect data. Results concluded that there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the overall score of the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, and the symptom, effect, and activity mean scores, while there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the SF-36 physical functioning, general health, bodily pain, role physical, vitality, role emotional, social functioning, mental health, physical and mental component summary mean scores of patients in the treatment group. Results of the study concluded that the symptoms, activity, disease effectiveness, and quality of life improved in patients that wore wool vests.