Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41693062›Full record

SynthesisNursing open2026

Experiences of Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Caregivers During the Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

Jennifer Deane-King, Jamie Howell, Rebecca Maguire

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Nursing open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Jennifer Deane-KingDepartment of Psychology, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7208-1079
Jamie HowellDepartment of Psychology, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland.
Rebecca MaguireDepartment of Psychology, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0368-4626

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo explore the experiences of individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (IwCOPD) and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

designSystematic review, adhering to PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022327424). DATA SOURCES: PsycINFO, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science.

methodsDatabases were searched in April 2022 using keywords relating to COPD, caregivers/patients and COVID-19. Studies collecting data on experiences of IwCOPD or their informal caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. Following screening and quality appraisal by two reviewers, a qualitative synthesis was conducted.

resultsOf 2931 abstracts screened, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria. For IwCOPD, pandemic impacts on physical and mental health were found, including fears of contracting COVID-19, changes in exacerbation levels, reductions in physical activity, and increases in depression and anxiety. Changes to healthcare management, including access to telemedicine, and positive adaptations, such as increased medication adherence, self-preservation and self-care, were also reported in the studies reviewed. Caregivers expressed fear of their care recipient contracting COVID-19 and changes in the home environment.

conclusionWhile the pandemic led to considerable negative experiences for IwCOPD, review findings suggest that some positive experiences were also reported. IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Findings may help inform the development of physical and mental health supports for IwCOPD and their caregivers. IMPACT: This study sheds light on the limited evidence regarding experiences of IwCOPD and their caregivers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As many IwCOPD continue to be impacted by COVID-19, these findings have the potential to inform healthcare providers how they may better support IwCOPD and their caregivers in numerous aspects of their healthcare management and their daily lives. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The lead author's experience as a COPD caregiver acted as Public and Patient involvement input. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDER GLOBAL CLINICAL COMMUNITY?: (1) The review sheds light on the considerable impact the pandemic had on the mental and physical health of IwCOPD. (2) It identifies vulnerable areas where support could be improved for IwCOPD and their caregivers, and how support could be improved. RELEVANCY TO NURSING OPEN: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease require considerable care and support from nursing professionals. This review highlights the care needs and support that may be beneficial for this group and is relevant to Nursing Open on nursing practice and research.

Indexed as

CaregiversCOVID-19Pulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveHumansMental HealthPandemicsSARS-CoV-2

Identifiers

PMID41693062
PMCPMC12907455

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.