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N/A N=14 Randomized Quadruple-blind Treatment

Role of Endorphins in Perception of Dyspnea With Resistive Loading in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Enrolled (actual)
14
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Apr 2013
Primary outcome: Primary: Intensity of Breathlessness — 77; 83 units on a scale — p=.0004

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
naloxone (Drug); normal saline (Drug)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 50+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Primary completion
Aug 2010

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Intensity of Breathlessness
77; 83 .0004 sig
PRIMARY
Unpleasantness of Breathlessness
77; 81 .024 sig
SECONDARY
Endurance Time
13.9; 12.5 0.45
SECONDARY
Change in Level of B-endorphin Immunoreactivity During Naloxone Intervention
6.0; 18.5 <0.001 sig
SECONDARY
Change in Level of B-endorphin Immunoreactivity During Saline Intervention
6.7; 13.4 <0.001 sig

Summary

Endorphins are released in response to breathing difficulty and can modify the perception of breathlessness. In this randomized placebo-controlled trial, resistive breathing loads are used to provoke breathlessness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The hypothesis of the study is that intravenous (IV) administration of naloxone, a medication which blocks endorphin activity, will increase the perception of breathlessness experienced by patients while breathing through a resistance device, compared with IV administration of normal saline.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Male or female patient 50 years of age or older;
  • A diagnosis of COPD defined by American Thoracic Society-European Respiratory Society criteria
  • Current or former smoker with a smoking history of greater than or equal to 10 pack-years;
  • A post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) greater than or equal to 30% predicted and less than or equal to 80% predicted; AND
  • A post-bronchodilator FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio less than 70%; and clinically stable COPD.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Any patient who has a concomitant disease that might interfere with study procedures or evaluation;
  • Inability to perform resistive breathing maneuvers; OR
  • Any current use of a narcotic medication.
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00958919). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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