Assessing and Improving Misuse of Inhalers in COPD Outpatients

Summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common long-term lung disease that causes breathlessness, cough, and frequent flare-ups. Most patients with COPD use inhaled medications every day. However, many people do not use their inhalers correctly, or they cannot generate the right inspiratory flow for their device. When inhalers are used incorrectly, the medication does not reach the lungs properly, symptoms worsen, and the risk of exacerbations increases.

This pragmatic randomized controlled trial evaluates whether a structured physiotherapist-led inhaler optimization program improves inhaler use in routine outpatient COPD care. The program is delivered by trained physiotherapists over 12 months and includes three in-person sessions. During these sessions, the physiotherapist evaluates the patient's inhaler technique using placebo devices, measures the patient's peak inspiratory flow with the In-Check DIAL® device, and provides individualized "teach-to-goal" education to help patients use their inhalers correctly. If the patient continues to make critical errors or cannot generate the appropriate inspiratory flow for their inhaler, the physiotherapist may recommend adapting the type of inhaler to better match the patient's abilities.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive the structured program in addition to their usual COPD care. The control group will continue with usual outpatient care without the physiotherapist-led sessions. All participants will complete baseline and 12-month assessments, which include inhaler technique evaluation, inspiratory flow measurement, respiratory questionnaires, and lung function tests. Telephone follow-up calls will be performed at months 2, 5, and 8 to monitor symptoms, inhaler use, and adherence.

The main outcome of the study is the proportion of inhalers used incorrectly at 12 months. Incorrect use is defined as at least one critical inhaler technique error or an inspiratory flow that is too low or too high for the patient's device. Secondary outcomes include changes in respiratory symptoms, health status, adherence to inhaled treatment, patient satisfaction with inhalers, confidence in inhaler use, and the number of COPD exacerbations or hospitalizations during the study.

This research may help improve everyday inhaler use in people with COPD and support more personalized inhaler selection in routine clinical care. Although participants may not benefit directly, the study poses minimal risks and may contribute to future improvements in COPD management.

Conditions

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Physiotherapist-Led Inhaler Optimization Program

This intervention consists of a structured, physiotherapist-led inhaler-optimization program delivered over 12 months in addition to usual outpatient COPD care. Participants attend three face-to-face sessions at Months 3, 6, and 9. During each session, a trained physiotherapist evaluates inhaler technique using device-specific placebo inhalers and validated checklists, measures peak inspiratory flow (PIF) with the In-Check DIAL® device adjusted to the resistance of each inhaler, and provides individualized teach-to-goal education with iterative demonstration and feedback until correct technique is achieved. If the participant continues to demonstrate critical errors or cannot generate an adequate PIF for their prescribed device, the physiotherapist notifies the treating physician and recommends adapting the inhaler type. The intervention does not include medication changes or pharmacologic treatment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hôpital Fribourgeois

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-01

Primary Completion

2029-05-31

Completion

2029-12-31

Countries

• Switzerland

Study Locations