Breathing Control Exercises in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Interventions: Behavioral: Standard Occupational Therapy; Behavioral: Occupational Therapy with Breathing Control Exercises

• Registration Number: NCT05199987
• Lead Sponsor: Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc- Université Catholique de Louvain

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to test whether breathing control exercises embedded in occupational therapy sessions have an impact on quality of life and dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Detailed Description

Dyspnea is one of the most important and debilitating symptoms in patients with COPD and is often the starting point to the vicious cycle of physical inactivity. As a consequence of increased dyspnea, patients adapt themselves by reducing the amount of all activities of daily living performed, with a consequent reduction in quality of life.

Occupational therapists are involved in pulmonary rehabilitation programs aiming to improve the biopsychosocial condition of COPD patients. However, the specific roles and intervention of occupational therapists are not well-defined, and standardized protocols are lacking. The implementation of breathing control exercises in occupational therapy sessions, aiming among other things to regulate patient's breathing during their activities of daily living, could be a starting point for a more effective management of patients with COPD. This could ultimately participate in the improvement of quality of life in patients with COPD.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2022-01-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-01-19
• Study First Posted: 2022-01-20
• Study Start: 2022-01-31
• Primary Completion: 2022-08-15
• Study Completion: 2022-08-15
• Status Verified: 2024-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-04-13
• Last Update Posted: 2024-04-16

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Confirmed diagnostic of COPD
• Severity of COPD: global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) classification III or IV
• Undergoing a pulmonary rehabilitation program in J. Bracops Hospital

Exclusion Criteria

• Cardiac or orthopedic complications limiting participation in occupational therapy sessions
• Active smoking
• Inability to understand the French language orally or in writing
• Cognitive impairments limiting understanding of instructions and participation in occupational therapy sessions

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Standard Occupational Therapy	Standard Occupational Therapy	This group will receive standard occupational therapy sessions
Occupational Therapy with Breathing Control Exercises	Occupational Therapy with Breathing Control Exercises	This group will receive the same component of the control group + breathing control exercises

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score	At baseline and after 6 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation	Overall health, daily life, and perceived well-being are assessed via the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire and its three domains: "symptoms", "activities" and "impact".; The score for each domain and the total score ranged from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating a very poor quality of life.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in health-related quality of life	At baseline and after 6 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation	Health-related quality of life is assessed via the CAT (COPD assessment test) score. The assessment consists of eight questions, with a score associated with each question ranging from 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no impact on quality of life. The total score ranges from 0 to 40. The higher the score, the greater the impact on quality of life.
Change in functional capacity	At baseline and after 6 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation	Functional capacity is assessed with the five-time sit-to-stand test. The time the individual takes to sit down and stand up completely over five repetitions is reported
Change in dyspnea	At rest and after the effort, at baseline as well as after 6 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation	Dyspnea is rated with a visual analogic scale (0 to 100mm).
Change in hand grip strength	At baseline and after 6 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation	Hand grip strength test is assessed via a hand dynamometer (JAMAR). The best value of three repetitions of the best hand is reported.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

J Bracops Hospital; 🇧🇪 Anderlecht, Belgium