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Improving Participation in Pulmonary Rehabilitation Through Peer Support and Storytelling

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
40 Years and older
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Visits mentioned: 5 visits

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) lead to roughly 1.5 million ED visits and 700,000 hospitalizations annually."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether videos of patient stories or phone calls with a peer coach help more people join pulmonary rehabilitation, a program of exercise and support for managing lung disease. It compares these approaches with each other and with usual care plus extra support. It is for adults age 40 or older who were treated for a flare-up of COPD, a long-term lung disease, and referred to the program.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects approximately 16 million Americans and is characterized by recurrent exacerbations that lead to 1.5 million Emergency Department visits and 700,000 hospitalizations annually. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a structured program of exercise and self-management support that has been proven to relieve shortness of breath and increase quality of life when initiated after an exacerbation, but unfortunately, few eligible patients participate. This project will compare the effectiveness of two novel strategies - one involving video narratives of other patients telling their story of how they overcame challenges and completed PR, the other involving telephonic peer coaching with an individual with lived experience - to enhanced usual care, and to each other, at increasing patient participation in PR after an exacerbation.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • You are age 40 or older.
  • You were treated for a COPD flare-up in a hospital or outpatient setting.
  • You were referred to pulmonary rehabilitation.
  • You can understand and communicate in English.
  • You are willing to talk with a peer coach by phone and watch patient story videos.
  • You have a working phone.

Who can't join

  • You are not willing to attend pulmonary rehabilitation.
  • Program staff decide you cannot join based on breathing tests or other medical reasons.
  • You are currently in pulmonary rehabilitation or have completed 12 or more sessions in the past.
  • You receive care only for comfort or hospice care.
  • You live in a long-term care facility.
  • You cannot or do not want to give informed consent, meaning you understand the study and agree to join.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * 40 years or older * Received treatment for COPD exacerbation in either inpatient or outpatient setting * Referred for pulmonary rehabilitation * Ability to understand and communicate in English * Willingness to participate in calls with peer coach and to view storytelling videos * Working phone Exclusion Criteria: * Unwilling to attend PR * Not eligible for PR based on spirometry or other clinical contraindications as determined by PR staff * Currently enrolled in, or completion of 12 or more sessions of PR in the past * Comfort measures only or Hospice care * Resident of long-term care facility * Unable or unwilling to give informed consent

Study sites (1)

MA