SELF-BREATHE for chronic breathlessness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A self–guided, internet based intervention for patients with chronic breathlessness (SELF-BREATHE)
IRAS ID
269019
Contact name
Charles Reilly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Over 2 million people experience breathlessness in the UK every year. Breathlessness is common in cancer, lung and heart disease. Unfortunately, for many people despite the best medical management of their disease, their breathlessness remains. This type of breathlessness is called chronic breathlessness. Chronic breathlessness leads to a decline in a patient’s activity levels, an increase dependence on others for help, as well as feelings of isolation. Chronic breathlessness can often leave patients and those supporting them feeling worried and helpless.
People with chronic breathlessness can have sudden and unexpected increases in their breathlessness, called ‘breathlessness attacks’. These breathlessness attacks can be very frightening, and many people seek help during an attack via emergency services. Recent UK data suggests that 1/3 of breathlessness attacks assessed within the Emergency Department could be avoided if patients had access to breathlessness self - management plans or support at home.
Breathlessness supportive services for patients with chronic breathlessness have been shown to improve patients’ self-management and reduce their distress. No such services are currently provided by the NHS. Funding and staffing such services will take time. In this study we seek to answer two questions: a) could there be a quicker and cheaper way for patients to access this breathlessness supportive interventions? b) could breathlessness supported services be offered online?
To do this, I will conduct semi – structured interview study with a purposive sample of patients with chronic breathlessness to explore their;
• Experiences and ability to cope with acute breathlessness attacks
• Views regarding the development of an online breathlessness support service (SELF-BREATHE)
• Interactions with online services e.g. online shopping
• Enablers and barriers to patients using SELF-BREATHEThese key data will be used to inform the development of the SELF-BREATHE intervention and subsequent feasibility RCT of the SELF- BREATHE intervention (funded through my NIHR Clinical Lectureship
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0160
Date of REC Opinion
20 Feb 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion