Human sexuality is a universal part of living and associated with quality of life and mental and physical health benefits. Improved sexual relationships and sexual activity might also be an intrinsic motivator to stay physically active. However, problems with sexuality and loss of sexual drive are common in older and chronically ill people like persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In persons with COPD sexuality is rarely addressed during medical consultations and the topic is not sufficiently researched despite the fact that a thorough assessment of quality of life is incomplete without considering sexuality.
Based on this background, the investigators developed an instrument that supports healthcare professionals to start and shape communication about sexuality: COSY. The COSY intervention consists of four tools (communication leaflet for health care professionals, application guidance, pictorial representation of the spectrum of intimacy for health care professionals, patient information booklet) and aims to sensitize persons with COPD with the topic sexuality.
The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the COSY communication intervention on quality of life and other outcomes like physical activity, exercise capacity and health status in people with COPD.
