Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Breathing Exercises for Dyspnea and Anxiety in Heart Failure

Turkey (Türkiye)112 participantsStarted 2025-03-05

Plain-language summary

Heart failure is a leading cause of emergency department admissions, with dyspnea and psychological distress being among the most common presenting symptoms. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of nurse-guided diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing exercises on dyspnea and psychological distress in patients presenting to the emergency department with heart failure. A total of 112 eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group receiving breathing exercises in addition to standard care or a control group receiving standard care alone. Dyspnea severity will be assessed using the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale, and psychological distress will be assessed using the Distress Thermometer at predefined time points. The findings are expected to provide evidence for the effectiveness of a simple, low-cost, nurse-led non-pharmacological intervention in improving symptom management in patients with heart failure.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Volunteer to participate in the study. Present to the emergency department of the hospital where the study is planned to be conducted. Having been diagnosed with NYHA stage III-IV heart failure by a physician. Being able to understand and speak Turkish. Exclusion Criteria: Being under 18 years of age Not being a volunteer to participate in the study Using narcotic analgesics to a degree that affects understanding questions and communication, Having a diagnosis of serious mental illness Not having been diagnosed with NYHA stage III-IV heart failure by a physician \-

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in psychological distress measured by the Distress Thermometer

Timeframe: Baseline (before intervention), and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after initiation of the intervention.

Change in dyspnea severity measured by the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale

Timeframe: Baseline (before intervention), and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after initiation of the intervention.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07752706

SponsorIstanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-05

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Heart Failure trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Change in psychological distress measured by the Distress Thermometer

Timeframe: Baseline (before intervention), and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after initiation of the intervention.

Change in dyspnea severity measured by the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale

Timeframe: Baseline (before intervention), and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after initiation of the intervention.