Breathe Plus feasibility trial

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Breathe Plus: Testing the feasibility of a comprehensive geriatric assessment for people with COPD and frailty starting pulmonary rehabilitation

  • IRAS ID

    268185

  • Contact name

    Matthew Maddocks

  • Contact email

    matthew.maddocks@kcl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    King's College London

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 7 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Part of standard care for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is pulmonary rehabilitation: an exercise and education-focused intervention. People with COPD also living with frailty (1 in 5) who complete pulmonary rehabilitation experience significant improvements in health outcomes. However, they also have twice the odds of not completing this intervention compared to non-frail people with COPD.

    Integrating a comprehensive geriatric assessment at the start of pulmonary rehabilitation may better support people living with COPD and frailty to complete their rehabilitation and get connected with other services relevant to their needs. However, before testing this intervention in an effectiveness trial, we need to address uncertainties around the intervention and trial delivery.

    The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial of a comprehensive geriatric assessment for people with COPD and frailty starting pulmonary rehabilitation.

    People with COPD and frailty will be screened for eligibility at their initial assessment for pulmonary rehabilitation. 60 eligible consenting participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to a control group (usual care) or intervention group (usual care + comprehensive geriatric assessment).

    In addition to usual care, people in the intervention group will receive a geriatrician-led multidimensional assessment of their needs, to develop individual recommendations and a care plan. This plan will be actioned between the geriatrics and rehabilitation teams, in collaboration with local services. This may include, for example a medication review, nutritional support, cognitive assessment, and/or an occupational therapy home assessment.

    Feasibility measures will include service delivery notes, screening and recruitment logs, participation data, and patient outcomes at 3 and 6 months. Nested qualitative interviews will also be conducted with a sub-sample of 10-15 patients and 5-10 staff. Data collection will take place in a place of participants preference (typically home).

    Funding: National Institute for Health Research

  • REC name

    London - City & East Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/LO/1402

  • Date of REC Opinion

    26 Sep 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion