Understanding Balance Impairment in COPD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation of the physiological and psychosocial mechanisms underpinning balance impairment in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
IRAS ID
317842
Contact name
Samantha Harrison
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Teesside University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition that affects around 1.2million people in the UK. Breathlessness is the main symptom but people with COPD are also more likely to fall than healthy people of the same age. Falling has emotional consequences, such as feelings of shame, embarrassment and fear of falling in public which leads to avoidance of outdoor activities. We do not know why people with COPD fall more but they have poor balance which may, in part, be due to problems with sensory and muscle responses that would usually maintain balance. Symptoms of breathlessness and pain, plus inactivity, may further impact balance. Physical and social environments may also have a role in falls risk, but this has yet to be investigated. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) which includes stamina and strength exercises, alongside education and emotional support is standard treatment for COPD but it does not include any balance exercises, meaning people with COPD who are at a greater risk of falling do not receive any routine treatment to improve balance.
This study aims to investigate the physical, psychological, social and environmental factors impacting on balance in people with COPD by comparing them to older adults without COPD. The study will recruit from local hospital services (people with COPD and their carers without COPD) and within the community (healthy older adults). Balance, muscle function (size, strength and speed of nerve conduction) and physical activity will be measured, and the two groups compared. We will also observe patients in their own homes and do follow up interviews to understand what it is like to live with COPD and the challenges people face. The information from this study will be used to design an intervention to improve balance in people with COPD.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
23/ES/0004
Date of REC Opinion
15 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion