Dysfunctional breathing: The development of a diagnostic tool

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The development of a diagnostic tool for the identification of patients presenting with dysfunctional breathing

  • IRAS ID

    196915

  • Contact name

    Laís Silva Vidotto

  • Contact email

    lais.vidotto@brunel.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Brunel University London

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    NCT03043469

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    N/A, N/A

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Dysfunctional breathing (DB) is a respiratory condition characterised by an abnormal breathing pattern and air hunger that can occur either in the absence of other pathophysiology (primary DB) (Gilbert, 1998) or secondary to cardiopulmonary disease (secondary DB) (Thomas et al., 2005). As a consequence, patients may experience breathlessness and present with periods of hyperventilation or erratic breathing (e.g. breath holding or deep sighs). In addition to respiratory symptoms, DB also generates non-respiratory symptoms (e.g. dizziness and increased heart rate) (Jones et al., 2013). It is estimated that 1 in 10 people in the UK have DB (Thomas et al., 2005). However, DB remains poorly understood, with no standardised approach to diagnosis and assessment.
    The purposes of this study are to characterise DB and develop a diagnostic tool for this population. In order to do that, a cross-sectional study will be performed to assess: breathing symptoms, lung function, exhaled gas analysis, exercise capacity, respiratory muscle function, respiratory motion, quality of life, anxiety & depression scores in 94 people with DB (primary and secondary) and in 27 people with breathlessness secondary to interstitial lung disease (ILD). People with ILD will be assessed in order for the tool to be tested in people with similar symptoms, but for other cause.
    All tests will be carried out at St Thomas' Hospital, and individual participation in this study will be composed of a 2- to 3-hour assessment session on site.
    References
    Gilbert C. Emotional sources of dysfunctional breathing. J Bodyw Mov Ther 1998: 2: 224–230.
    Jones M, Harvey A, Marston L, O’Connell V. Breathing exercises for dysfunctional breathing/hyperventilation syndrome in adults. Cochrane Libr 2013:
    Thomas M, McKinley RK, Freeman E, Foy C, Price D. The prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in adults in the community with and without asthma. Prim Care Respir J 2005: 14: 78–82.

  • REC name

    London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/LO/0452

  • Date of REC Opinion

    11 May 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion