Introduction

Breathlessness is common in progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD) and substantially diminishes quality of life. We report a multi-centre, mixed-methods, randomised-controlled feasibility study of a complex breathlessness intervention in PF-ILD patients.

Methods

PF-ILD patients with modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea score ?3 were randomised 1:1 to receive the intervention within 1-week or to receive the intervention after 8 weeks (wait-list). The intervention was delivered during 2 face-to-face and 1 telephone appointment over 3-weeks and comprised: breathing control techniques, handheld fan-use, pacing, and breathlessness/anxiety management techniques. We present feasibility data and between group differences in proposed primary outcomes for the definitive trial; Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) breathlessness.

Results

47 patients (M:F 38:9, mean [SD] age 73.9 [7.2], IPF : non-IPF PF-ILD 35:9) were randomised. Retention at 8, 12, and 16 weeks was 43/47 (91%), 37/47 (79%), and 34/47 (72%), respectively. Participant flow through the study is presented in figure 1. Numerical improvements were seen across all proposed primary outcomes (figure 1).

Conclusion

A definitive trial of a complex breathlessness intervention in patients with PF-ILD is feasible with data supporting intervention efficacy