Pilot Intervention to Prevent Complications of Acute Respiratory Infections in Primary Care

Summary

Acute respiratory infections are common reasons for seeking primary care. Most people recover at home, but some older adults may develop respiratory complications or worsening of long-term health conditions. Clear guidance about safe activity, breathing exercises, symptom monitoring, and when to seek further care may support recovery.

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to assess whether the AIRE respiratory self-care intervention and the planned study procedures can be carried out successfully in adults aged 60 to 80 years who receive care for an acute respiratory infection in a primary care center. The pilot will inform the procedures for a larger randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate whether AIRE can prevent complications.

The main questions this pilot study aims to answer are:

* Can eligible participants be successfully recruited and enrolled?
* Can participants complete the 14-day follow-up and daily self-report diary?
* Can the AIRE intervention be delivered as planned?
* Can participants assigned to AIRE follow the respiratory self-care recommendations and breathing exercises?

Researchers will also explore whether participants who receive AIRE experience fewer respiratory complications within 14 days than participants who receive usual care. The pilot study is not designed to provide a definitive test of the clinical effectiveness of AIRE.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Participants in the AIRE group will receive usual care plus a respiratory self-care session. The session will include guidance about hydration, safe daily activity, avoidance of prolonged bed rest, warning signs, and simple breathing exercises. Participants will also receive supporting educational material. Participants in the control group will receive usual care without the AIRE intervention.

Participants in both groups will:

* Receive telephone follow-up during the 14 days after enrollment
* Record their symptoms, daily activities, and use of health services in a self-report diary
* Report any new medical visits, hospital admissions, or respiratory complications

The respiratory complications assessed will include sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and worsening of a long-term health condition. The findings will help researchers identify changes needed before conducting the larger clinical trial.

Conditions

• Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

AIRE Comprehensive Respiratory Self-Care Intervention

AIRE is a multicomponent respiratory self-care intervention delivered individually by a trained respiratory physical therapist. Participants receive a structured education session lasting approximately 10 minutes. The session covers hydration, warning signs, safe daily activity, and recommendations to avoid prolonged bed rest during recovery. Participants are taught breathing control followed by slow exhalation through pursed lips. Each breathing exercise session lasts approximately 5 to 10 minutes and is performed twice daily for 5 to 10 consecutive days, according to symptoms and tolerance. Participants are advised to stop the exercises if they experience dizziness, marked shortness of breath, chest pain, or worsening symptoms. Printed or audiovisual materials reinforce the recommendations and exercise instructions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Chile

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-08-20

Primary Completion

2026-10-20

Completion

2026-10-20

Countries

• Chile

Study Locations