An Investigation of Attentional Functions in Stable COPD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Investigation of Attentional Functions in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
IRAS ID
229888
Contact name
Claire Alexander
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 28 days
Research summary
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes progressive and irreversible damage to the airways. Some evidences suggest that COPD patients may experience some difficulties with processing information (cognition). Previous studies have found some differences in performance on attention tasks between COPD patients and the general population. However, many studies have only examined patients while they were an inpatient in hospital, acutely unwell. There are several ways that this might influence attention and these participants would not represent the majority COPD patients who live in the community in a stable condition.
Aims: The current study aims to examine whether COPD patients, in a stable phase of their condition, differ in their performance on attention tasks from the general population.
Methods: The participants will be COPD patients, living in the community who have not experienced a recent substantial worsening of their symptoms. Control participants will also be recruited from the general population. Individuals will be excluded from participating if they have a serious physical or sensory condition which would influence their ability to participate in the task. COPD patients will be recruited through specialist community nurses who they see regularly. Before starting the tasks, participants will be asked to provide some demographic information. The participants will be asked to complete three tasks. One task will involve looking at a computer screen and responding to visual stimuli which is presented. A second task will involve reading information from a sheet of paper. The last task will involve completing several sentences. Participation is to take approximately thirty to sixty minutes.
Practical applications:
If people with COPD experience difficulties with attention, it may impact their life in several ways, including their management of their condition. Having greater understanding of how COPD patients process information can help clinicians best to support their wellbeing.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0320
Date of REC Opinion
30 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion