Johnson, M.J., Kanaan, M., Richardson, G., Nabb, S., Torgerson, D., English, A., . . . Booth, S. (2015). A randomised controlled trial of three or one breathing technique training sessions for breathlessness in people with malignant lung disease. BMC Medicine, 13, 213-015-0453-x.
To test whether three breathing training sessions are better than one in patients with intrathoracic malignancy experiencing breathlessness
Participants were randomized to receive either one or three hour sessions of training in four techniques (breathing control, pacing/prioritizing, relaxation, and anxiety management). Those randomized to three sessions had the sessions at intervals spaced one week apart. All participants received written and DVD/video reinforcement material and a telephone call from their therapist a week after the final session. The training was provided by the professional who would normally be responsible for completing such training at the given clinical site and included physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and a lung cancer clinical nurse specialists. At two sites, the professionals were described as being a part of a specialist palliative care breathlessness intervention service. Outcomes were measured at week 4 and compared to baseline.
No evidence exists that three sessions of breathing training for patients with intrathoracic malignancy with breathlessness were beneficial, and no increased distress and mastery over breathlessness occurred in those receiving three sessions over one. A single session of training is recommended if breathing training is used for breathlessness.
This study does not assess the effectiveness of breathing training over the standard of care for patients with cancer. If breathing training is considered based on other factors and other evidence, the nurse should be aware that this study does not support use of more than one session.