Active clinical trials for "Lung Diseases"

The purpose of this study is to find out more about the effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the function of blood vessels, the heart, and muscle at rest and during exercise.

The overall objective of this study is to demonstrate that the IntellO2 device providing automated control of fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) adjustments in spontaneously breathing infants with fluctuating arterial blood oxygen saturation levels is safe and efficacious in the routine clinical environment. Specifically, it is hypothesized that the IntellO2 will perform as well or better than standard practice for maintaining infants' arterial blood oxygen saturation in a target range while minimizing the exposure to elevated levels of oxygen in the inspired gas.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of adding PA monitoring and regular feedback of a pedometer (step counter) to an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on daily PA levels and health status of patients with COPD. Patients will be randomized to either receive a PR program with PA monitoring and regular feedback of a pedometer (experimental group [EG]) or a PR program alone (control group [CG]). During the PR program, patients in the EG will receive a pedometer to self-monitor their PA and individualized step-count goals. They will continue to use the pedometers and receive individualized goals for 3 months after the program. It is expected that, by receiving individualized goals and a simple pedometer to self-monitor their PA during and after a PR program, patients with COPD will become more active and adhere to long-term rehabilitation, thus reducing the overall impact of COPD.

The the aim of this study is to determine the benefits of Telehealth monitoring in the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in severe hypercapnic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) may be associated - during sleep - with recurrent episodes of patient ventilatory asynchrony, which in turn may affect quality of sleep, efficacy of ventilation and comfort of nocturnal NIV.Polysomnography (PSG) under NIV is necessary to detect these events. Adjusting ventilator settings according to respiratory events detected by PSG with NIV may improve quality of sleep, efficacy of ventilation and comfort of nocturnal NIV.

Patients undergoing chest surgery often require insertion of a breathing tube (double lumen tube) after they are unconscious. The double lumen tube enables the anaesthetist to ventilate (assist breathing) one lung at a time. The other lung is partially deflated to enable enough space for the surgeon to perform the procedure. The breathing tube is inserted with a laryngoscope (blade with a light at the end) so the vocal cords can be seen. This is standard medical practise. Two laryngoscopes are commonly used at Toronto General Hospital to insert the tube. The Macintosh laryngoscope has been is use for over 50 years and the Glidescope for over 10 years. Both devices have been extensively researched for single lumen tubes insertion and found to be very safe and effective. Research is limited to say which of the two laryngoscope is the most effective for double lumen tubes.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition associated with major disability. There is strong evidence that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves outcomes and is cost saving, but fewer than 2% of patients have access to these programs. New methods of PR are needed to increase access of patients with COPD to these established benefits. To address this gap we propose a novel physical activity self-management (PASM) program based on an evidence-based physical activity intervention designed to increase physical activity and quality of life. Key components of the program include tailored telephone counseling, a workbook, and computer-assisted telephone follow-up. We will test the following two hypotheses: 1) Patients with COPD who receive PASM have clinically and statistically significant improvements in functional performance (i.e., Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire [CRQ] dyspnea domain and 6-minute walk) compared to patients who receive UC. 2) The PASM program is more cost-effective compared to the UC. The project addresses a major gap in the current management of COPD and may provide a novel, cost-effective strategy for improving functional performance and health status.

The objectives of this study are to investigate the effectiveness of Acu-TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied on acupoints) on lung functions and quality of life and to explore the associated underlying mechanisms in subjects with COPD.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects at least 750,000 Canadians and is currently the 4th leading cause of death in Canada. Almost everyone with COPD suffers from shortness of breath (dyspnea) that worsens over time despite standard treatment (inhalers, exercise programs and oxygen). Patients and families have identified relief from dyspnea as a top priority for improved care. New approaches are needed for treating advanced COPD to lessen the burden that it places on the lives of patients and families alike. Opioid drugs, such as morphine, can help in COPD in many ways, including reducing dyspnea, fear and anxiety. Opioids are used widely in cancer for similar symptoms. However, there are historical biases against their use in advanced COPD (mostly due to fear of side effects when much higher doses than the investigators intend have been used in the past). No studies have assessed the value to patients of using low dose opioids in advanced COPD in addition to conventional treatment. The investigators are planning a study that involves recording interviews with about 30 patients and their partner or key family member before and after starting treatment with low dose morphine, to understand their experiences with using morphine. The investigators will also ask them to complete questionnaires about quality of life, dyspnea, anxiety, depression and fear. Descriptions of experiences of using morphine have the potential to inform patients, families, clinicians and professional societies about the benefits and harms of opioid use for dyspnea in the advanced stages of a common serious lung disease when traditional treatments often fail. The investigators will conduct the study in both urban (Halifax and Saskatoon) and in a rural setting (New Brunswick). The investigators' study of an inexpensive and widely available treatment has the potential to improve care and outcomes in advanced COPD for the many Canadians living and dying with this serious lung disease.

This study addresses self management and maintenance of health through evaluation of a program of patient education in combination with physical training and with a structured follow-up. It is hypothesized that such a program will: improve quality of life, physical functioning, coping in everyday-life reduce hospitalization and (re-)admissions for patients with chronic disease, reduce consumption of home care services and can increase consumption of general practice and physiotherapy services in primary health care. improve patient satisfaction and health care providers satisfaction