Integrating palliative care education into pulmonary rehabilitation for lung disease patients
Integrating Palliative Care Education in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
This study is testing if adding palliative care education to pulmonary rehabilitation can help people with lung diseases like COPD and ILD, and their caregivers, feel better and understand palliative care more.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 58 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Aveiro University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Aveiro) |
| Trial ID | NCT06046547 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effects of incorporating palliative care education into pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD), as well as their informal caregivers. By comparing a PR program that includes palliative care education to traditional PR, the study seeks to determine if this integration improves knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care. The research will also explore the perspectives of patients and caregivers on this educational approach and assess its impact on health-related quality of life and symptom management. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to provide robust evidence on the effectiveness of this innovative model.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with COPD or ILD who are clinically stable and have not participated in a pulmonary rehabilitation program in the last six months.
Not a fit: Patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, or psychiatric conditions that limit their participation in pulmonary rehabilitation may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the quality of life and care for patients with COPD or ILD and their caregivers by improving their understanding and access to palliative care.
How similar studies have performed: While integrating palliative care into pulmonary rehabilitation is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in improving patient outcomes in other chronic conditions.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
People with COPD or ILD Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of COPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria or multidisciplinary diagnosis of ILD * clinically stable in the previous month (i.e., without acute exacerbation) Exclusion Criteria: * presense of a musculoskeletal, neurological or psychiatric condition which may limit their participation in PR * participation in any PR program in the last 6 months * specialist palliative care in the last 12 months * inability to understand Portuguese Informal caregivers Inclusion Criteria: * adults identified by the participating people with COPD or ILD as informal caregivers; for this purpose, it will be explained to people with COPD or ILD that an informal caregiver is any relative, partner, friend, neighbor, or significant other with personal relationship with them, and who provides a broad range of unpaid assistance, namely with activities of daily living (e.g., toileting, feeding and bathing) and instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., shopping, meal preparation and managing finances) Exclusion Criteria: * presense of a neurological or psychiatric condition which may limit their participation * inability to understand Portuguese
Where this trial is running
Aveiro
- University of Aveiro — Aveiro, Portugal (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alda S Marques, PhD — Aveiro University
- Study coordinator: Alda S Marques, PhD
- Email: amarques@ua.pt
- Phone: (+351) 234 372 462
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.