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Study identifier: NCT07319039 Synced from ClinicalTrials.gov · July 28, 2026
● Recruiting

Breathlessness Patterns in Patients With Cancer, COPD and Heart Failure: an fMRI Feasibility Study

Condition: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) · Heart Failure · Cancer  ·  Sponsor: University Hospital, Geneva

PhaseN/A
Planned participants16
Who can joinAll sexes, 18 Years to no upper limit
Healthy volunteersYes

About this study

Dyspnea that persists despite optimal pathophysiological treatment is defined as persistent dyspnea. Currently all brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies conducted to evaluate breathlessness have done so using healthy volunteers or have concentrated on acute breathlessness. Little is known about chronic breathlessness patterns and their modulation by different triggers. Furthermore, it is currently assumed in the palliative care literature that patients suffering from different advanced and progressive diseases such as cancer, heart failure (HF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have the same triggers, perceptions and neurological pathways and thus require the same treatments/interventions (i.e. opioids as first line symptomatic pharmacologic treatment). However, it is now known that patients belonging to different disease groups do not necessarily benefit from opioids. Aim of the study To assess the feasibility of identifying dyspnea patterns in different life-limiting conditions and to evaluate the effect of immersive virtual reality (IVR) on dyspnea using patient-reported-outcomes (PROMs). Study procedure: Patients with advanced chronic diseases such as cancer, COPD or HF suffering from dyspnea will undergo a brain fMRI in combination with an IVR intervention. The fMRI data will be reviewed to identify different patterns of dyspnea and the effect of IVR on dyspnea will be assessed through PROMs. Patients will be asked about the perceiv…

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Talk to the study team

Lisa Hentsch, Dr med  ·  +41795531093  ·  lisa.hentsch@hug.ch

Ivan Guerreiro, Dr Med  ·  +41795533717  ·  lisa.hentsch@hug.ch

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Locations (1)

Geneva University HospitalsGeneva, Canton of Geneva, SwitzerlandRecruiting

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Source record: clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07319039