What is this study trying to find out about COPD exacerbations?

This study is evaluating a new counseling program focused on emotional distress in people who have experienced a worsening of their COPD. Researchers want to see if this integrated care approach is feasible and helpful for patients after hospitalization. The program is led by a university team aiming to improve emotional support during recovery.

Who may be eligible for this COPD clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 or older with a confirmed COPD diagnosis who have been hospitalized due to a severe COPD exacerbation requiring steroids or antibiotics may be eligible. Participants must be inpatients on a pneumology or medical ward and able to communicate in German. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this COPD clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the counseling sessions and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses to attend sessions or visits may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

ID07351929

An Emotional-distress-based Integrated Care Programme in Patients With an Acute Exacerbation of COPD EmoD - A Feasibility Study

Led by University of Zurich · Updated on 2026-03-02

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new counseling service designed to address the emotional distress experienced by people living with COPD, especially after a worsening of their lung condition known as an acute exacerbation of COPD. This study aims to assess the feasibility of this emotional-distress-based integrated care program, which is led by an Advanced Practice Nurse APN team and includes involvement from medical staff and physiotherapists. The program focuses on improving emotional well-being during the recovery period. The intervention consists of a three-month counseling program where patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation receive ten counseling sessions led by specialized nurses. This nurse-led program is tailored to support emotional distress and is delivered through outpatient care following hospitalization. The study collects quantitative data on emotional distress at baseline and again three months after the intervention. Participants will engage in assessments at two main time points initially within the first month after hospitalization and then at a follow-up three months later. Researchers will measure changes in COPD-related emotional distress, depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life, patient satisfaction, frequency of exacerbations, rehospitalization, and health behaviors such as smoking, nutrition, physical activity, and medication adherence. Additional data on program reach, acceptability, and feasibility will be collected to evaluate how well the program is delivered and received.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Emotional-distress-based Integrated Care Programme in Patients With an Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD (GOLD 1-4)
Hospitalisation due to a COPD exacerbation and decision to start with steroids and/or antibiotics (severe exacerbation)
Age �3E�3D 18 years
Inpatient on the pneumology or medical ward

You will not qualify if you...

Cognitive impairment such as dementia or delirium (DOS >3 or AES >6 or Mini-Cog <3)
Unstable psychiatric disorders
Not speaking German
Lung transplant
Pneumonia caused by chronic colonization by bacteria such as Legionella or nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)
Unable to telephone

Research Team

Gabriela Schmid-Mohler, PD PhD

Christine Hübsch, PhD

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