Using pulmonary rehabilitation to reduce flare-ups in COPD for older adults
Official title: GEMSSTAR PERSPIRE-COPD
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10917267 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pulmonary rehabilitation can help older adults with COPD avoid flare-ups, and it aims to find ways to improve treatments by understanding how the immune system works as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $161,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AG082878-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917267 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are experiencing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without a diagnosis of COPD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how pulmonary rehabilitation can help prevent acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in older adults. The study aims to identify biological targets that can be modified to improve treatment outcomes, particularly focusing on the role of the immune system and age-related decline in immune function. By understanding the mechanisms behind AECOPD prevention, the research seeks to optimize pulmonary rehabilitation and pave the way for new therapeutic options. Patients participating in this research may engage in rehabilitation programs designed to enhance their lung function and overall health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments that significantly reduce hospitalizations for older adults with COPD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using pulmonary rehabilitation to improve outcomes in COPD, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mosher, Christopher — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Mosher, Christopher
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Omalizumab for COPD patients with allergen sensitization and exposure
A multicenter trial will test whether adding omalizumab helps people with COPD who are allergic to common indoor allergens and are exposed to them.
-
Clinical CT Imaging to identify and subtype pulmonary hypertension in COPD
A new CT imaging approach aims to help doctors detect and classify pulmonary hypertension in people with COPD.
-
Next-Generation Wearable AI for Precision COPD Risk and Care
A patient-centered project uses a smart wearable and AI to predict COPD flare-ups and support doctors in making better care decisions.
-
Ethics-aware Multimodal AI for COPD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
A broad AI model uses diverse health data to help predict and manage COPD in people, with an emphasis on ethics and fairness.
-
Easier, local pulmonary rehab and social support for people with COPD in low-resource clinics
This project compares a 10-week community pulmonary rehabilitation program alone, the same program plus help with social needs, and usual care for people with moderate-to-severe COPD to see which helps people stick with rehab and feel better.
-
Improving COPD outcomes with real-world data
A doctor-scientist at a major university is using real-world information from COPD patients to understand which treatments work best, how safe they are, and whether people stick to their inhaler plans.
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.