BREEZE 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
BREEZE 2: A randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention to manage breathlessness in pulmonary fibrosis
IRAS ID
342696
Contact name
Ann Hutchinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Diseases which cause scarring of the lungs (called pulmonary fibrosis) usually affect older adults. They progress over time and make it hard to breathe. Medications can slow disease progress, but do not improve symptoms nor quality of life. Shortness of breath is the most common symptom and the one which has the biggest impact on the lives of those affected. Breathlessness treatments work for people with other lung conditions, but we do not know whether they work for people with lung scarring. It is important that we find out how to help people affected, doctors and policy makers make correct treatment decisions. To find out if breathlessness management helps people with scarred lungs we will do a research study called a trial. We have already conducted earlier work to see if such a trial is possible to do and to understand how best to run the trial to make it as easy as possible for those taking part. We found the trial was possible, and there were encouraging signs suggesting that the treatment could be helpful. This trial proposal follows recommendations from our earlier work. Breathless people with scarred lungs will be randomly selected to receive a breathlessness treatment within one week (fast-track group) or to be placed on a waiting-list for eight weeks prior to receiving the treatment (wait-list group). Both groups will continue with their usual care. The treatment will involve training in techniques to help with breathing delivered by a therapist during three appointments over three weeks. Breathlessness and quality of life questionnaires will be completed with the participant at the start of the study and again after four and eight weeks, and then every eight weeks for a maximum of one year, by a short phone call with a researcher.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
24/WS/0113
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion