Emotional-distress integrated care program for people with stable COPD

Emotional-distress-based Integrated Care Programme in Patients With Stable COPD - A Feasibility Study (EmoD-2)

Not applicable Interventional University of Zurich · NCT07524023

This three-month program led by specialized nurses will try ten counselling sessions to help adults with stable COPD manage emotional distress.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment15 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Zurich Academic / other
Locations1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich)
Trial IDNCT07524023 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The trial tests a three-month, APN-led counselling program that targets emotional distress in adults with stable COPD. Participants receive ten structured counselling sessions delivered by specialized nurses, with involvement from medical staff and physiotherapists as needed. The study uses a mixed-methods feasibility design at the pneumology outpatient clinic of University Hospital Zürich and enrolls German-speaking patients with confirmed COPD (GOLD 1–4) who are clinically stable. Patients with recent exacerbations, major cognitive impairment, unstable psychiatric illness, or lung transplant candidacy are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with confirmed stable COPD (GOLD 1–4) who are outpatients at the University Hospital Zürich, speak German, and can participate in ten counselling sessions over three months are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with recent moderate-to-severe exacerbations or hospitalizations, significant cognitive impairment, unstable psychiatric conditions, lung transplant candidates or recipients, non-German speakers, or those unable to receive the intervention by phone/video are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce emotional distress and improve coping, self-management, and quality of life for people with COPD.

How similar studies have performed: Some psychological and integrated-care interventions, including components of pulmonary rehabilitation, have improved mood and quality of life in COPD, but this specific APN-led emotional-distress program is novel and is being tested for feasibility.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD (GOLD 1-4) and existing lung function in the past 12 months
* Age ≥ 18
* Outpatient treatment on the pneumology clinic of the university hospital Zurich. Last consultation within the past 12 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Significant changes in symptoms over the past 3 months that exceeded the everyday fluctuations and required intensification of treatment (moderate, severe exacerbations or pneumonia) and no COPD-related hospitalisation in the past 3 months
* Cognitive impairment (dementia, delirium)
* Unstable psychiatric situation, i.e., current psychiatric treatment due to personality disorder, schizophrenia, drug use, suicidal tendencies. No exclusion for nicotine and alcohol abuse, anxiety, and depression
* Not speaking or reading German
* Intervention via telephone or video call not possible
* Lung transplant (recipient or candidate)

Where this trial is running

Zurich, Canton of Zurich

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions COPDcopdFeasibility studyMixed-methods designEmotional DistressIntegrated care prgrammeAPN
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.