While there is previous evidence of an association between
respiratory sensation ratings and the outcomes of psychological
interventions (Norweg and Collins, 2013; von Leupoldt et al., 2011),
this is the first study to show a possible physiological mechanism
for such an association. The findings support the benefit of CBT
as an intervention to alleviate breathing discomfort in COPD, and
suggest a way in which CBT for anxiety decreases the intensity of
perceived dyspnoea. As such, CBT strategies may have a preventative
as well as a treatment role, and could be incorporated into
routine pulmonary rehabilitation programmes.