Emotional-distress-focused integrated care for adults after a COPD flare-up
An Emotional-distress-based Integrated Care Programme in Patients With an Acute Exacerbation of COPD (EmoD) - A Feasibility Study
This program tries a three-month, nurse-led counseling service with ten sessions to help adults hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation manage emotional distress.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Trial ID | NCT07351929 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This feasibility trial delivers a three-month, emotional-distress-based integrated care programme led by an advanced practice nurse (APN) team, with support from medical staff and physiotherapists. Patients hospitalized for an acute COPD exacerbation receive ten counseling sessions aimed at addressing anxiety, depression, and coping during recovery. The study uses a mixed-methods design to test acceptability, delivery logistics, and preliminary changes in emotional distress and healthcare use among eligible inpatients. Key eligibility includes adults with confirmed COPD (GOLD 1-4) hospitalized for an exacerbation who speak German and can use a telephone, while patients with significant cognitive impairment or unstable psychiatric illness are excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are German-speaking adults (≥18) with confirmed COPD hospitalized for a severe exacerbation requiring steroids and/or antibiotics, who are able to use a telephone and have no significant cognitive impairment.
Not a fit: Patients with dementia or delirium, unstable psychiatric disorders, those who do not speak German, have had a lung transplant, have certain bacterial pneumonias, or cannot use a telephone are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce emotional distress after COPD flare-ups, improve coping and self-management, and potentially lower readmissions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous counseling and integrated-care approaches for COPD have shown mixed benefits for mood and quality of life, so this APN-led program for acute exacerbations is a relatively novel, untested adaptation.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD (GOLD 1-4) * Hospitalisation due to a COPD exacerbation and decision to start with steroids and/or antibiotics (severe exacerbation) * Age ≥ 18 * Inpatient on the pneumology or medical ward Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive impairment (dementia, delirium) (DOS\>3 or AES\>6 or Mini-Cog\<3) * Unstable psychiatric disorders * Not speaking German * Lung transplant * Pneumonia caused by chronic colonization by bacteria (Legionella, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)) * Unable to telephone
Where this trial is running
Zurich, Canton of Zurich
- University Hospital Zürich — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Gabriela Schmid-Mohler, PD PhD
- Email: gabriela.schmid@usz.ch
- Phone: +41 44 255 20 03
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.