Optimizing Self-management COPD Treatment Through the American Lung Association Helpline

Summary

Although self-management treatment improves quality of life among individuals with COPD, there is limited understanding of which elements of treatment are most effective. The proposed research will test the feasibility of using an engineering-inspired study design to identify effective COPD self-management treatment components. The long-term goal of this line of research is to optimize the effectiveness of COPD self-management treatment, and improve quality of life for individuals with COPD.

Conditions

• Copd

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Self-management education (short)

The self-management education condition is based on the Living Well with COPD program. The program consists of a mailed booklet and structured phone counseling delivered by certified COPD educators. Topics include disease information, breathing retraining, action planning, medication use, energy conservation, and following good health habits. The short condition consists of two calls (30-45 minutes each) to introduce patient education topics and refer to the booklet for further information.

BEHAVIORAL

Ground-based walking training

Participants randomized to this condition will be mailed a pedometer (3DFitBud Simple Step Counter) and instructed on its use to establish baseline steps/ day for 7 days. They will then receive a booklet with instructions to establish a walking program and three brief (10-15 minute), bi-weekly calls from a trained staff member to review step count values and engage in setting personal activity goals over the course of 6 weeks, following established exercise guidelines for individuals with COPD.

BEHAVIORAL

Inhaler training

Participants randomized to this condition will receive two sessions of inhaler technique education using a virtual teach-to-goal (TTG) method in which individuals are observed using their inhaler, provided feedback, and then observed again.

BEHAVIORAL

Caregiver support

Participants randomized to this condition will identify an informal caregiver who is involved in their healthcare (i.e., spouse, family member, or friend), who will receive a mailed copy of the Respiratory Health Association's COPD Caregiver's Toolkit, a comprehensive informational resource to support the care of the person living with COPD. Caregivers will receive two brief (10-15 minute) check-in calls from a trained staff member. The structured content of these sessions will include providing an overview of toolkit content, identifying goals for sections(s) to review and incorporate into caregiving activities, and addressing any questions.

BEHAVIORAL

Self-management education (long)

The self-management education condition is based on the Living Well with COPD program. The program consists of a mailed booklet and structured phone counseling delivered by certified COPD educators. Topics include disease information, breathing retraining, action planning, medication use, energy conservation, and following good health habits. The long condition consists of five, weekly calls (30-45 minutes each) following a structured curriculum of patient education topics.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• American Lung Association

  collaborator OTHER

• Rush University Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Amanda R Mathew, PhD · Rush University Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-11-05

Primary Completion

2023-06-30

Completion

2023-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations