Clinical Research Directory

Effect of IMT in Patients After Acute Exacerbations of COPD

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether home-based inspiratory muscle training can reduce hospital readmissions and death in patients recovering from a severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The main questions this study aims to answer are: Does adding home-based inspiratory muscle training to usual care lower the risk of all-cause hospital readmission or death within 180 days after discharge? Does inspiratory muscle training improve respiratory muscle strength, symptoms of dyspnea, quality of life, and functional capacity compared to usual care? Researchers will compare patients randomized to: Intervention group: Home-based inspiratory muscle training plus usual care Control group: Usual care only to see if inspiratory muscle training leads to fewer readmissions and deaths, and better patient-reported and physiological outcomes. Participants will: Be hospitalized for ≥3 days due to AECOPD, age ≥35 years, able to consent, and own a compatible smartphone. In the intervention group, receives usual care and additionally inspiratory muscle training: Inspiratory muscle training twice daily for 90 days, then once daily up to day 180, with remote telemonitoring via a smartphone app and online supervised sessions. The control group will continue with usual care (pharmacological treatment, smoking cessation advice, vaccinations, and referral to pulmonary rehabilitation if available). Follow-up assessments will include hospital readmissions, survival, and quality of life questionnaires up to 12 months after discharge.

Protein, Sarcopenic Obesity, and COPD

Both sarcopenic obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are common conditions that mainly affect middle-aged and older adults. Previous research has shown that increased dietary intake of total and plant-based protein is associated with a lower risk of sarcopenic obesity, using data from the EPIC Norfolk study. Furthermore, a systematic review and meta-analysis showed that having sarcopenic obesity was associated with significantly impaired lung function outcomes. Other research has shown that increased intake of dietary protein leads to a better treatment outcome for respiratory diseases. The aim of this pilot observational study is to investigate, in more detail, the relationship between the quantity and source of dietary protein intake, the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity, and lung function, in a small cohort of older female participants with COPD. The study will also consider the role of inflammation in relation to sarcopenic obesity and lung function outcomes. This study will help to improve the understanding of the relationship between sarcopenic obesity and lung function outcomes, and how dietary protein intake and inflammation can affect this relationship and each of the outcomes.