Breathlessness Management in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Non-Pharmacological Self-Management Techniques for Breathlessness Management in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
222467
Contact name
Rachel Lardner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development Department
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive respiratory condition characterised by scarring of the lung tissue, with no known cause. Patients usually suffer from breathlessness, cough, and reduced exercise tolerance, leading to a steady decline in quality of life. The median survival time from diagnosis is three years.
Current management of the condition includes anti-fibrotic medication, and support of a specialist team of nurses and physiotherapists. This currently includes nurse-led support with symptom management, and participation in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a group-based intervention, consisting of supervised exercise training and self-management education sessions. The programmes are typically commissioned for patients with COPD and are tailored to the needs of those with COPD, allowing only some consideration for the specific needs of patients with other respiratory diseases. Waiting times for Pulmonary Rehabilitation are commonly up to three months, and can leave patients with limited advice on breathlessness management in the short term following their diagnosis.
This research project proposes to investigate whether an intervention designed for patients with IPF, early after diagnosis which encourages self-management of breathlessness, can contribute to the benefits achieved through participation in Pulmonary Rehabilitation programmes.REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0293
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion