What is this study trying to find out about COPD or ILD?

This study is exploring whether adding education about palliative care to pulmonary rehabilitation improves knowledge of palliative care for people with COPD or ILD and their caregivers. The research aims to better support patients and informal caregivers by integrating palliative care into routine management. The study is sponsored by Aveiro University and uses a randomized controlled design to evaluate this approach.

Who may be eligible for this COPD or ILD clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 or older diagnosed with COPD or ILD who are clinically stable and able to understand Portuguese may be eligible. Informal caregivers identified by these patients can also participate. People with recent pulmonary rehabilitation, specialist palliative care, or limiting neurological or psychiatric conditions may be excluded. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

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

Study-related care, including the study program and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses vary and may not be covered. Participants can expect study visits and treatments to be free of charge during the trial.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

ID06046547

Integrating Palliative Care Education in Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD and Interstitial Lung Disease

Led by Aveiro University · Updated on 2024-01-30

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD or interstitial lung disease ILD presents significant daily challenges for both patients and their informal caregivers, especially in advanced stages. These needs are often not fully met by current treatments. This study investigates whether adding palliative care education to pulmonary rehabilitation PR can improve knowledge about palliative care for people with COPD or ILD and their informal caregivers. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group will receive a 12-week PR program that includes twice-weekly supervised exercise sessions and weekly education and psychosocial support sessions, with added components such as palliative care education sessions, peer-to-peer discussions, get-apart sessions, and online meetings. The control group will receive the same PR program without the palliative care education and extra sessions. Individual cases may be referred to specialized palliative care or other professionals based on specific needs. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments at the start, after 12 weeks end of PR, and again 6 months later. These will include questionnaires and tests covering health status, symptoms, quality of life, knowledge about palliative care and the disease, functional capacity, and caregiver burden. Qualitative data will also be gathered from the experimental group through focus groups to understand their perspectives. The primary outcome is knowledge about palliative care, with many secondary measures evaluated as well.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Integrating Palliative Care Education in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Diagnosis of COPD according to GOLD criteria or multidisciplinary diagnosis of ILD
Clinically stable for at least one month without acute exacerbation
Adults aged 18 years or older
Informal caregivers identified by participating COPD or ILD patients who provide unpaid assistance with daily living activities
Ability to understand Portuguese

You will not qualify if you...

Musculoskeletal, neurological, or psychiatric conditions limiting participation in pulmonary rehabilitation
Participation in any pulmonary rehabilitation program in the last 6 months
Specialist palliative care received in the last 12 months
Inability to understand Portuguese
Neurological or psychiatric conditions limiting caregiver participation

Research Team

Alda S Marques, PhD

Odete M Alves, MSc

Not the Right Trial for You?

Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Already have an account? Log in here