Randomised controlled trial of SELF-BREATHE for Chronic Breathlessness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A self – guided, internet – based intervention for patients with chronic breathlessness (SELF-BREATHE): feasibility randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
285303
Contact name
Charles Reilly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
Over 2 million people experience symptomatic breathlessness in the UK every year. Breathlessness is common in cancer, lung and heart disease. Unfortunately, for many people despite the best medical management of their disease, their breathlessness persists. This type of breathlessness is called chronic breathlessness. Chronic breathlessness leads to a decline in a patient’s activity levels, an increase dependence on others for help, as well as feelings of isolation. Frequent hospital and emergency department attendances are common for people with chronic breathlessness.
Breathlessness support services for patients with chronic breathlessness have been shown to improve patients’ breathlessness management, however access to such services remains limited. To improve patient access to non-drug treatments for chronic breathlessness, we have developed SELF-BREATHE. SELF-BREATHE is a self–guided, internet–based intervention for patients with chronic breathlessness.
The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial of an online breathlessness supportive intervention (SELF-BREATHE) for chronic breathlessness.Forty patients with chronic breathlessness who agree to take part in the study will be assigned at random (by chance) to either use SELF- BREATHE plus NHS health care or to usual NHS health care alone. The study will measure: how many patients took part, how many patients completed the SELF – BREATHE programme, and how often they access the website. Patients will be asked about their good and bad experiences of using SELF– BREATHE. Patients in the usual care group will be asked about their experience of the study design.
Importance of study results
This project will provide important information as to whether SELF – BREATHE should be tested further in a larger study to see if compared to normal health care SELF-BREATHE helps patients to manage their breathlessness better and to reduce hospital attendances.
Funding: National Institute for Health Research
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/1108
Date of REC Opinion
20 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion