What is the role of pain in Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The views of health care providers’ and individuals with COPD on the role of pain in pulmonary rehabilitation

  • IRAS ID

    193983

  • Contact name

    Samantha Harrison

  • Contact email

    S.L.Harrison@tees.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Teesside University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Many people in the UK and worldwide suffer with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Although breathlessness is the symptom most commonly associated with COPD almost two thirds of individuals also report symptoms of pain which have been shown to limit daily activities.
    Pulmonary rehabilitation, (PR) is recommended for all individuals with COPD and the benefits of completing PR on; admissions to hospital, exercise capacity and quality of life are well recognised. Endurance-based exercise training is the cornerstone of PR programs and the presence of pain has been reported to inhibit patients’ ability to successfully complete the training program, limiting the physical benefits likely to be achieved from PR.
    Currently, pain is seldom discussed during the initial assessment for PR and to successfully facilitate discussions of this kind, it is important to understand the views of health care professionals (HCPs) and individuals with COPD on pain within the context of PR. Therefore the aims of this study are two-fold: 1. to explore the views of HCPs, responsible for delivering PR, on pain in individuals with COPD and 2. to understand if patients with COPD enrolled in a PR program feel their pain needs are currently being met.
    Recruitment will take place at PR programs within South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK and at West Park Healthcare Centre, Canada. Up to 20 interviews will be conducted with HCPs, responsible for delivering PR, and up to 20 interviews will be conducted with individuals with COPD who are currently enrolled in PR programs by researchers trained in qualitative, interviewing techniques. The interviews will be transcribed verbatim and themes will be identified surrounding; the importance of pain in this population, the impact of pain on participation in PR and any strategies to cope with pain in this setting.

  • REC name

    East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/EE/0039

  • Date of REC Opinion

    28 Jan 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion