A study to explore whether pulmonary rehabilitation in Uganda for adults with chronic respiratory disease is practical and acceptable to patients
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14312425 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14312425 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | Plymouth University, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry |
| Funders | Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, Department for International Development |
- Submission date
- 07/10/2015
- Registration date
- 21/10/2015
- Last edited
- 07/11/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Respiratory
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
In developing countries, long-term conditions which affect the lungs (chronic lung disease) and the airways are a growing problem. Infections which affect the lungs such as tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, along with tobacco smoking and unhealthy diet mean that around one in five adults in Africa suffer from chronic lung disease (CLD). People with CLD are likely to experience breathlessness and chest pain, especially when exerting themselves, and so sufferers tend to avoid exercise. This can lead to their lung conditions getting worse, causing disability that is both a source of suffering and strain on the health services. Medication can be used to help improve the symptoms of CLD however it does not stop the disease from getting worse in the long term. Many studies have shown that regular exercise can help to strengthen and tone the lungs so that they are able to take in more oxygen (increased lung capacity). The pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme has been designed to encourage people suffering from CLD to exercise and to educate them about how to best manage their condition. The PR is an inexpensive way of supporting patients to help each other and themselves, by using local health workers such as nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and clinic staff. The aim of this study is to find out whether the PR programme is an effective way to help people with CLD in Uganda, and whether it would be appropriate to organise a larger trial to test its benefits across East Africa.
Who can participate?
Adults who have been diagnosed with COPD or TB and are treated at Mulago Hospital (Uganda).
What does the study involve?
Participants are invited to take part in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme twice a week for six weeks. The programme involves a combination of exercises which are designed to improve strength, stamina and general fitness, and education sessions designed to teach about respiratory (breathing) diseases, why exercise is important and relaxation techniques. After the six week programme, and then again after a further six weeks, participants attend a follow-up appointment in which their general health is assessed by testing how they perform in physical tests. Participants are also interviewed and asked to complete a number of questionnaires in order to find out if their quality of life has improved since taking part in the pulmonary rehabilitation programme.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
A potential benefit is that taking part in this study will encourage patients to become more active rather than taking medications. This could help to improve their quality of life by improving symptoms such as chest pain, coughing up blood and night sweats. There are no risks of taking part in this study.
Where is the study run from?
Mulago Hospital (Uganda)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2015 to March 2016
Who is funding the study?
Wellcome Trust (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Ruper Jones
Rupert.jones@plymouth.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Plymouth University
Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
Room N16
ITTC Building, Research Way
Plymouth
PL6 8BU
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5463-2981 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 1752 434258 |
| rupert.jones@plymouth.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre mixed-methods feasibility study |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A development study to examine feasibility and acceptability of pulmonary rehabilitation in Uganda for adults with chronic respiratory disease |
| Study objectives | Pulmonary rehabilitation in Uganda for adults with chronic respiratory disease is feasible and acceptable. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Mulago Research Ethics Committee, 19/03/2015, ref: MREC 440 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Chronic Lung Disease |
| Intervention | This is a non-randomised feasibility study. Patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria will be invited to take part in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme (intervention) twice a week for six weeks, with follow-up at the end of the six week intervention and also six weeks after completion of the intervention. Follow-up includes data collection but no further intervention. Pulmonary rehabilitation consists of a programme of exercises and health education, of one hour duration each . These take place on the same day, at Mulago Hospital, Kampala twice a week for six weeks. Each programme comprises 10-12 participants who fulfill the study eligibility criteria and have completed Baseline Assessment. During the PR programme each participant will be taken through a range of exercises supervised by a physiotherapist, and health education delivered by a physiotherapist and physician (see below). Exercise programme 1. Includes resistance training (e.g. weights used for upper and lower limbs) and aerobic training: biceps Curl; sit to stand; pull ups; step ups; cycling and walking 2. Equipment – minimal for exercise so can be continued at home (e.g. weights are bottles filled with water) 3. Regime individually prescribed, monitored and increased as programme progresses Education sessions 1. Causes of breathless (breathlessness is not harmful) 2. Coping and relaxation techniques 3. Role of exercise in building up strength and endurance 4. Effects of TB on lungs specifically and body in general 5. Treatment for TB 6. Pacing and activities of daily living 7. Cigarettes smoking and exposure to biomass smoke 8. Nutrition healthy eating 9. Chest infections and what to do if they get worse 10. HIV 11. What help and support is available 12. Maintaining the gains |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
The feasibility and acceptability of pulmonary rehabilitation programme is determined at baseline, 6 weeks (end of intervention) and 12 weeks (6 weeks after intervention completion) using the following measures: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Chest pain is measured using a subset of questions from the Brief Pain Inventory at baseline, 6 weeks (end of intervention) and 12 weeks (6 weeks after intervention completion) |
| Completion date | 01/03/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 40 |
| Total final enrolment | 34 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 18 years or over 2. Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or tuberculosis (TB) 3. Seen at Mulago Hospital as an inpatient or outpatient 4. Medical Research Council dyspnoea score grade 2 (MRC2) or higher 5. No unstable cardiovascular disease or locomotor difficulties that preclude exercise |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Smear positive TB for those with previous TB treatment 2. Unwilling or unable to attend a PR programme 3. Unable to provide informed consent. |
| Date of first enrolment | 24/04/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 10/11/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Uganda
Study participating centre
Kampala
P.O.Box 7051
Uganda
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 11/12/2017 | 07/11/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
07/11/2023: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.
