Feasibility Testing of a Hospice Family Caregiver Intervention to Improve Patient Dyspnea Care

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Dyspnea
• Interventions: Behavioral: Shortness of breath recognition and treatment

• Registration Number: NCT02441868
• Lead Sponsor: Wayne State University

Brief Summary

This study is a pilot test of an intervention to train family caregivers of home hospice patients about recognizing and treating shortness of breath.

Detailed Description

Shortness of breath is a prevalent symptom causing distress among patients at the end of life. In home hospice care family caregivers are expected to assist their family member with symptom management. This is often accomplished with little or no training.

The investigators have developed a bundle of training materials targeted for family caregivers of home hospice patients at risk for shortness of breath. The investigators will pilot test the intervention in this clinical trial. A future randomized clinical trial is planned and the evidence from this pilot will enhance the planning of that future trial.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2015-04-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-05-07
• Study First Posted: 2015-05-12
• Study Start: 2015-10-15
• Status Verified: 2018-04
• Primary Completion: 2018-04-30
• Study Completion: 2018-04-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-04-30
• Last Update Posted: 2018-05-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 7

Inclusion Criteria

• Patient in home hospice care with an estimated survival of 3-4 weeks, at risk for dyspnea secondary to lung cancer, COPD, or heart failure.
• Family caregiver in patient's home must speak and read English.

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with bulbar ALS or quadriplegia.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention	Shortness of breath recognition and treatment	all participants will receive the training

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in patient respiratory comfort	Baseline and up to four weeks until patient death	The Respiratory Distress Observation Scale will be used to measure patient respiratory comfort at enrollment (baseline), twice each week during the study until patient death.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Family caregiver burden index	Baseline and participants will be followed for an average of 4 weeks until date of death	The Modified Caregiver Strain Index

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Angela Hospice; 🇺🇸 Livonia, Michigan, United States