Brief behavioral support to help breathlessness in advanced lung cancer
Official title: Multi-site Trial of a Brief Behavioral Intervention for Dyspnea in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11130485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-site study tests a short behavioral program delivered by nurses to help adults with advanced lung cancer feel less breathless and more able to do daily activities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $604,347 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA292902-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11130485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with advanced lung cancer experiencing significant breathlessness who can participate in short sessions and have access to in-person or remote visits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose breathlessness is primarily driven by non-lung cancer conditions or who cannot participate in behavioral sessions may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
If you have advanced lung cancer and breathlessness, this project will test a two-session, nurse-led program called BREEZE, delivered in-person or via video/phone to fit your care visits. The study builds on a prior single-site trial that showed improvements in breathlessness and well-being at eight weeks, with plans to add a booster session and a digital health component to sustain benefits. Participants will continue standard cancer care while receiving the behavioral intervention, and researchers will track symptoms, functioning, and quality of life over time. By running the trial at multiple sites, the team hopes to show that the program works across diverse patients and care settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience less breathlessness and better daily functioning through a practical, nurse-delivered program that can be integrated with routine care.
How similar studies have gone: A prior single-site trial suggested meaningful short-term improvements in dyspnea and functioning, informing the current multi-site study.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Temel, Jennifer Sue — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Temel, Jennifer Sue
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.