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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseRCTNCT07913334

Impact of Nurse-Led Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Dyspnea, Fatigue and Self-Efficacy in COPD Patients

A study testing Pulmonary rehabilitation in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, run by University of Health Sciences Lahore.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition characterized by airflow limitation, dyspnea, and fatigue, significantly impairing quality of life. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 40 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
What is being tested?
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
74 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
14 Oct 2026to 16 Apr 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 40 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosed cases of COPD, as per Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines.
  • Adults aged > 40 years (WHO, 2023; GOLD, 2024).
  • Both genders (male \& female).
  • Hemodynamically stable (vital signs: BP > 90/60 mmHg, heart rate between 60-100 bpm).
  • Dyspnea Grade ≥ 2 on the mMRC Dyspnoea Scale.
  • Oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥ 88% on room air.

Who cannot join

  • Comorbid respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma, pulmonary fibrosis).
  • Severe cardiovascular or neurological conditions.
  • Recent hospitalization for COPD or other respiratory issues (within 4 weeks).
  • Pregnancy or planning pregnancy during the study.
  • Unable or unwilling to comply with the study protocol.
  • Terminal illness or life expectancy < 6 months.

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Madiha Shahzadi, MS Nursing contact

+923452929254

madihashahzadi786@gmail.com

Samina Kausar Prof, PhD Nursing contact

+923334072790

Saminamanzoor31@yahoo.com

About this study

Official title: Impact of Nurse-Led Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Dyspnea, Fatigue and Self-Efficacy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital, Lahore

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition characterized by airflow limitation, dyspnea, and fatigue, significantly impairing quality of life. Globally, COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with its burden disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan, where healthcare resources are limited and structured rehabilitation programs are scarce. Despite evidence supporting pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) as an effective intervention for improving physical capacity, symptom control, and quality of life, its implementation in Pakistan remains minimal. Nurse-led PR programs, which integrate education, and exercise have demonstrated positive outcomes internationally; however, their feasibility and effectiveness in resource-limited settings are largely unexplored. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of a nurse-led PR program in improving dyspnea, fatigue and self-efficacy in patients with COPD. Adults (aged ≥40 years) meeting eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. Prior to the start of the intervention, baseline data will be collected from both groups using Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea, Fatigue Severity and COPD Self-Efficacy Scales to assess the severity of dyspnea, fatigue and level of COPD self-efficacy. The intervention group will be provided with a nurse-led structured PR program by the researcher which will include COPD education, breathing and strengthening exercises for 12 weeks. The first sessions will be conducted during outpatient visits and will be followed up by weekly telephonic reminders and bi-weekly face-to-face meet-up to ensure continued adherence and individualized guidance. While, the control group will receive standard care which include routine medical management. After completion of 12-week intervention, the same scales will be used to evaluate changes in the outcome variables i.e. dyspnea, fatigue and COPD self-efficacy. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the demographic and clinical characteristics. To evaluate the effectiveness of the pulmonary rehabilitation program on dyspnea and fatigue status, Chi-square / Fisher's exact test will be used to compare the post-intervention results between the two groups. Independent sample t-test / Mann-Whitney test will be used to compare the self-efficacy score between the intervention and control groups. The findings of this study are expected to provide empirical evidence of the effectiveness of nurse-led pulmonary rehabilitation and inform evidence-based healthcare policies. The findings may also support the integration of nurse-led PR into routine COPD care as a feasible, cost-effective strategy to improve symptom management and quality of life among patients with COPD.

Read the detailed description

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition characterized by airflow limitation, dyspnea, and fatigue, significantly impairing quality of life. Globally, COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with its burden disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan, where healthcare resources are limited and structured rehabilitation programs are scarce. Despite evidence supporting pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) as an effective intervention for improving physical capacity, symptom control, and quality of life, its implementation in Pakistan remains minimal. Nurse-led PR programs, which integrate education, and exercise have demonstrated positive outcomes internationally; however, their feasibility and effectiveness in resource-limited settings are largely unexplored.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led pulmonary rehabilitation program on self-efficacy, dyspnea, and fatigue among COPD patients in Pakistan. The research will employ a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, enrolling adults aged 40 years or older diagnosed with moderate to severe COPD. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving a structured 12-week nurse-led PR program or a control group receiving routine care. The intervention will include weekly sessions focusing on disease education, breathing exercises and physical activity delivered through OPD visits and telephonic follow-ups. Each pulmonary rehabilitation session will last between 60 to 90 minutes, incorporating exercise training and educational components. Researcher will provide individualized guidance and monitor adherence through patient regular check-ins. Regular check-ins will occur bi-weekly and involve either a phone call or in-person meeting to discuss the patient's progress, answer any questions, and address concerns. During these sessions, the researcher will evaluate the patient's adherence to the program and provide further guidance or adjustments to the rehabilitation plan.

Primary outcomes-self-efficacy, Dyspnea, and fatigue-will be assessed using validated tools: the COPD Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES), Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The intervention will last 12 weeks, followed by post test. The 12-week duration of the pulmonary rehabilitation program is based on established evidence that suggests this period is sufficient for significant improvement in COPD symptoms, exercise capacity, and overall well-being. Studies have demonstrated that a 12-week program leads to reduced Dyspnea, improved physical fitness, and enhanced quality of life for patients with COPD. To evaluate the effectiveness of the pulmonary rehabilitation program on Dyspnea and fatigue status, Chi-square / Fisher's exact test will be used to compare the post-intervention results between the two groups. Independent sample t-test / Mann-Whitney test will be used to compare the self-efficacy score between the intervention and control groups.

The anticipated results include reduced Dyspnea severity, alleviated fatigue and improved self-efficacy in the intervention group compared to controls. These findings will provide evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of nurse-led PR programs in Pakistan, offering a cost-effective strategy to enhance COPD management in resource-limited settings. The study's outcomes have the potential to inform healthcare policy, promote integration of nurse-led interventions into chronic care models, and ultimately improve quality of life for COPD patients.

Being tested
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Keywords
COPD, Nurse-led, Dyspnea, Fatigue, Self Efficacy
Medical subject headings
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Dyspnea, Fatigue

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Pulmonary rehabilitationOther

    Also called nurse-led pulmonary rehabilitation, disease education, breathing exercises, strengthening exercise

    The nurse-led pulmonary rehabilitation program will be conducted in intervention group following the guidelines outlined in the COPD Handbook (Lung Health Foundation, 2021), which provides comprehensive education on COPD definition, signs and symptoms and home based rehabilitation strategies. Each pulmonary rehabilitation session will last between 60 to 90 minutes, incorporating exercise training for 20-45 minutes and educational components for 45-60 minutes, as supported by previous studies and clinical guidelines.

Study groups in NCT07913334
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention groupExperimentalIntervention group receiving nurse led pulmonary rehabilitation including disease education, breathing and strengthening exercises
Receives: Other: Pulmonary rehabilitation
Control groupNo interventionControl group receiving standard care

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Dyspnea

    Dyspnea is defined as the sensation of breathlessness, and in this study, it will be measured using the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, which classifies breathlessness severity from 0 (no breathlessness) to 4 (severe breathlessness) Higher score indicates greater dyspnoea and lower score indicates improvement in dyspnoea

    Measured: 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Fatigue

    The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), developed by Krupp and LaRocca (1989), is a 9-item scale designed to measure the severity of fatigue and its impact on daily functioning. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity. The Cronbach's alpha of 0.88 demonstrates the scale's excellent internal consistency. The total score ranges from 9 to 63, Based on the FSS scoring system, low fatigue is defined as a total score ranging from 9 to 36, while high fatigue is defined as a score ranging from 37 to 63. This classification will help in understanding the severity of fatigue in participants and the potential impact on their daily lives

    Measured: 12 weeks

  2. Self efficacy

    The COPD Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES), developed by Wigal et al. (1991), is a 34-item tool designed to assess a patient's confidence in managing their COPD symptoms across various situations. Using a 5-point Likert scale, patients rate their confidence from "Very confident" to "Not at all confident" in handling challenges related to physical exertion, emotional stress, environmental factors, and behavioral risks. Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy.

    Measured: 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted3 Nov 2026
  2. Study start14 Oct 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion16 Mar 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion16 Apr 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
74 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07913334
Sponsor's protocol ID
UHS786
Acronym
RCT
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
28 Oct 2026
Last updated
3 Nov 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Sadek Ramadan, S. and Nagah Hasan Mohamed, S., 2021. Effect of Nurse-Led Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program on Dyspnea and Fatigue for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 12(2):608-629.

  • Aranburu-Imatz A, Lopez-Carrasco JC, Moreno-Luque A, Jimenez-Pastor JM, Valverde-Leon MDR, Rodriguez-Cortes FJ, Arevalo-Buitrago P, Lopez-Soto PJ, Morales-Cane I. Nurse-Led Interventions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 26;19(15):9101. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159101.

    PubMed 35897469

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Pulmonary rehabilitation in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, run by University of Health Sciences Lahore.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Madiha Shahzadi, MS Nursing (+923452929254, madihashahzadi786@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Dyspnea (time frame: 12 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07913334, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Nov 2026.

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