Evaluating non-pharmacological interventions for people with lung cancer
Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council
Professor Patsy Yates School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology
Professor Janet Hardy, Director of Palliative Care, Mater Health Services
A/Professor Kwun Fong, Senior Staff Specialist, Thoracic Physician, The Prince Charles Hospital
Dr Alexandra Clavarino, Senior Research Fellow, School of Public Health, University of Queensland
A/Professor Geoff Mitchell, Physician, School of Medicine, University of Queensland
Dr Helen Skerman, Biostatistician, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology
Ms Vanessa Brunelli, Senior Research Assistant, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology
Contact: Professor Patsy Yates Email: p.yates@qut.edu.au
Dyspnoea, or breathlessness, is a common symptom that can be extremely distressing for people with lung cancer, as it can evoke panic, frustration, and fear. The impact of dyspnoea is often substantial.
The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel method for delivering a non-pharmacological intervention comprising breathing retraining and psychosocial support for managing dyspnoea in lung cancer patients. The study involves a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing patient’s breathlessness and improving their day to day function.
This study is novel in that it applies best available evidence about methods for delivering psycho-educational interventions for people with cancer to optimise the delivery of non-pharmacological intervention strategies with proven efficacy. The modified intervention being evaluated in this study has been developed so that it can be readily incorporated into routine clinical practice to manage the symptom. It uses support materials in different forms, so that patients can use these when they need to and when they are relevant to them, rather than in a more structured or formal way. Outcomes from this study have the potential to make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life for people with lung cancer, by providing tools and resources that can be implemented across a wide range of cancer settings.