Quality of life in patients with dysfunctional breathing (V.1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Health related quality of life in patients with dysfunctional breathing referred to a cardiopulmonary exercise testing service.
IRAS ID
233648
Contact name
Michelle Swainson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 2 days
Research summary
Breathlessness is a common reason for referral to our hospital department for exercise testing. The exercise test aims to identify problems with the lungs, heart or muscles. Some patients are found to have an abnormal, or dysfunctional, pattern of breathing. This pattern of breathing is out of proportion to the body’s needs. It can cause a number of symptoms including a feeling of being easily out of breath, dizziness and chest pain. Patients with the condition often describe being limited in their everyday lives. Some studies have shown that their quality of life is considerably reduced. The aim of our study is to assess quality of life in patients who are out of breath due to an abnormal breathing pattern. We will measure quality of life using a questionnaire. We will compare the results of the questionnaire to results from the normal Welsh population. We expect that quality of life in our patients will be significantly worse. We hope that the study will support the setup of a dysfunctional breathing service at our hospital. This may enable faster diagnosis and raise awareness of the condition. The study would be unfunded. It would be conducted by a student as part of a university degree. Any patient referred for an exercise test due to shortness of breath who is found to have an abnormal breathing pattern would be eligible. The study would take place over approximately eight months. The only extra procedure patients would be asked to complete over standard care would be the completion of the questionnaire.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2030
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion