Clinical Research Directory

Singing Training vs Usual Care 6-18 Months After Surgical Resection for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

People who have undergone curative surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often experience reduced quality of life (QoL), a high burden of symptoms, and physical deconditioning. Current Danish rehabilitation offers are heterogeneous and inconsistent and not tailored to the specific needs of this population. Additionally, some patients continue to suffer from persistent physical symptoms months or even years after surgery, yet no targeted support is currently available for them. Singing - delivered as a structured form of training - has shown benefits in improving both physical and psychological outcomes in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although singing has not yet been studied in NSCLC patients, the two conditions share overlapping symptoms and characteristics. Therefore, the present study aims to explore whether a singing-based intervention can help reduce symptom burden and improve physical function and QoL in NSCLC patients 6 to 18 months post-surgery. To test this, a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, comparing a singing intervention to usual care. Given that travel and distance often pose significant barriers to participation, the intervention will be delivered online.

Investigation of Small Mobile Stem Cells (SMS Cells) in Participants With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

This study is a phase 1, first-in-human, open-label, non-randomized, dose escalation safety study of 18 participants, between 39 and 69 years of age, with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, treated with SORT-COPD (SMS cells). The primary objective of this study is to determine the safety of SORT-COPD (SMS cells) at three doses in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Improvement of Sleep in COPD Patients Through Inhalation Management Education by Nurse.

This study aims to investigate whether inhalation management education provided by nurses improves sleep quality in patients with COPD. Inhalation management education includes training in inhalation techniques and guidance on how to use medications when symptoms occur. The main research question is: ・Does inhalation management education improve sleep quality in patients with COPD? Researchers will determine whether inhalation management education improves sleep quality compared to no education. Participants will: * Participate in two interviews with researchers using video conferencing tools. * Keep a diary recording their symptoms, sleep duration, and the frequency of rescue inhaler use.

Mapping and Characterization of Alveolar Cells During Smoking and Chronic Obstructive Disease

To evaluate the regenerative capacities of mesenchymal cells composing the microenvironment of alveolar type 2 cells in a population of patients, undergoing thoracic surgery for suspected cancer, who are smokers with and without COPD compared to non-smokers patients

Effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted Dual Task Training on Muscle Oxygenation in Patients With COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common but preventable disease that is associated with a chronic inflammatory response in the airways and lungs to noxious gases, often progressive, resulting in a persistent limitation of airflow. Chronic cough, dyspnea, and sputum production are the most common symptoms of the disease. Respiratory failure and decrease in physical activity seen in the later stages of the disease also negatively affect the participants' participation in daily life. COPD, which is an important health problem due to its increasing incidence, high prevalence, and associated social and economic costs, ranks fourth among the global causes of death. Cognitive and physical impairments are often associated with COPD prognosis. In the literature, a relationship was found between prefrontal cortex activity, exercise tolerance, and dyspnea perception of the individual. The prevalence of cognitive impairment in COPD ranges from 10 to 61%. Considering the effect of cognitive function on motor control, it is thought to affect physical performance. Studies have reported that prefrontal cortex oxygenation and perfusion increase with exercise. Depending on the positive effect of neuron metabolism, increases in cognitive and physical functions are observed. When examining the results of dual-task training and virtual reality applications in geriatric and neurological populations, positive effects on physical and cognitive functions have been demonstrated. Dual-task training causes an increase in cerebral perfusion and oxyhemoglobin as it requires more cognitive resources. Therefore, it is important for the investigators to create a program that includes cognitive performance rather than focusing only on motor performance in the rehabilitation of patients with COPD. Virtual reality applications are also widely used in many areas. A limited number of studies conducted on individuals with COPD have shown positive effects on physical performance. When examining the literature, it is seen that there is no study investigating the effects of virtual reality-assisted dual-task training in individuals with COPD. Based on this information, the investigators aim to evaluate the effect of virtual reality-supported dual-task training on cerebral, peripheral muscle, and respiratory muscle oxygenation in individuals with COPD using the fNIRS imaging method. The 30 individuals with COPD included in the study will be divided into two groups as intervention and control groups. In addition to the conventional physiotherapy and rehabilitation program, virtual reality-supported dual-task training will be given to the intervention group. In the control group, only the conventional physiotherapy and rehabilitation program will be applied. The treatment program will continue for 6 weeks, 3 days a week in both groups. Within the scope of the project, respiratory muscle strength, respiratory function, peripheral muscle strength, fatigue, balance, functional capacity, activity of daily living, cognitive level, and cerebral, peripheral, and respiratory muscle oxygenation of both groups will be evaluated before and after the intervention, and the effects of the intervention will be examined. For these purposes, the study will be the first in the literature to evaluate the effect of virtual reality-supported dual-task training in terms of cognitive functions and oxygenation and compare it with conventional physiotherapy applications. The study results will provide a basis for determining an optimal non-pharmacological treatment method to protect and improve physical and cognitive performance in individuals with COPD. In addition, the investigators believe that the study will have a social impact by helping to reduce mortality and morbidity rates in these patients and indirectly alleviate the burden on healthcare services. This project will contribute to the literature by providing a different perspective for clinical applications, as well as serving as a guide for future studies.

Make Every Step Count: Personalised Music Feedback to Walking for People Living With COPD

Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is an evidence-based intervention to effectively manage the physiological and psychological effects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The aims of PR are to improve symptoms of COPD, increase exercise capacity, increase independency, improve overall behaviour related to health (like exercising more), and enhance quality of life. The cornerstone of PR programmes is aerobic exercise prescription. Typically, walking exercise is used, and the prescription is individualised for each patient based on their maximal walking exercise capacity. However, adherence to walking exercise is challenging for service users, particularly when unsupervised at home. The use of music during exercise shows promise as a tool to decrease the perception of fatigue and increase motivation, but the integration of music via smartphone applications to support walking exercise adherence during PR has not been explored. This project aims to assess if a new mobile application BeatClearWalker (BCW) intervention is practical, acceptable, and effectively used by people living with COPD. The app is designed to help people living with COPD attending PR adhere to their prescribed walking pace during exercise. The BCW app provides real-time, personalised music feedback through music degradation to optimise the dose of walking exercise.

InvEstigating oeStrogen Signalling and the Effect upoN the exTracelluar Matrix In pAtients With Obstructive Lung Disease

This study aims to understand the role of oestrogen in patients with asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Therefore, what is the effect of oestrogen in these participants compared to controls (those without disease). The study hypothesises that oestrogen loss in patients with asthma and COPD causes accelerated lung function decline and changes to lung structure. It will investigate if this is mediated by inflammation, immune host response or elastin and collagen changes. It is an observational prospective cohort study aiming to recruit healthy controls, and people with asthma or COPD), and/or the menopause.

COPD Patient-Powered Research Network

The COPD Patient-Powered Research Network (COPD PPRN) is a patient research registry with the goal of enrolling 75,000 or more COPD patients and those at risk who are willing to share their heath information over several years and participate in research. The COPD PPRN has built an online platform to allow volunteers to enroll electronically, complete surveys, be contacted about studies they qualify for and become connected to COPD resources. The goal of the registry is to speed research to find better treatments for COPD and ultimately a cure.