Brief Behavioral Intervention for Dyspnea in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Lung Cancer, Cancer, Pulmonary
Therapuetic Areas:Oncology, Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:7/5/2018
Start Date:May 15, 2017
End Date:February 28, 2022
Contact:Joseph Greer, PhD
Email:jgreer2@mgh.harvard.edu
Phone:617-643-2143

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This research study is evaluating a behavioral intervention designed to help people with
advanced lung cancer manage dyspnea (i.e., breathlessness or shortness-of-breath).

Many individuals with advanced lung cancer experience debilitating breathlessness at some
point during the course of their illness. Unfortunately, few interventions exist to treat
this distressing symptom of cancer.

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of a brief behavioral intervention may help
relieve breathlessness in individuals with advanced lung cancer. Participants will have a
50/50 chance of receiving the behavioral intervention or standard care. The principal
investigator of the study, Dr. Joseph Greer, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has
trained oncology nurses in how to deliver the behavioral intervention. The oncology nurses
will meet with participants during their outpatient oncology appointments, such as
chemotherapy infusions, to review the behavioral skills that may help with breathlessness.
This intervention involves no medications but rather teaches patients skills for breathing
control and relaxation of the body.

Inclusion Criteria:

- A diagnosis of stage IV NSCLC or extensive stage SCLC

- Self-reported shortness of breath (a score of 2 or greater on the Modified Medical
Research Council Dyspnea Scale)

- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status from 0 (asymptomatic) to
2 (symptomatic and in bed <50% of day)

- The ability to read and respond to questions English

- Primary cancer care at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center or
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI)

- Age >18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

- Cognitive or psychiatric conditions prohibiting study consent or participation.

- A treating clinician who reports that the patient is inappropriate for the study
We found this trial at
2
sites
450 Brookline Ave
Boston, Massachusetts 2215
617-632-3000
Principal Investigator: Mary Cooley, PhD
Phone: 617-632-4653
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Since it’s founding in 1947, Dana-Farber has been committed to providing adults...
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185 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
617-724-5200
Principal Investigator: Joseph Greer, PhD
Phone: 617-643-2143
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