RecruitingInterventional

UPTURN feasibility study – A study testing the acceptability and delivery feasibility of a support package designed to help people with COPD attend pulmonary rehabilitation

This study, called UPTURN, is testing a new way to help people with a lung condition called COPD attend a beneficial programme called Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR). PR combines exercise and education to help reduce breathlessness and hospital visits, but many people don't attend. This study is testing a special support package, developed with patients, carers, and experts, which includes a welcome pack, planning tools, and a support call from Asthma + Lung UK. Researchers want to see if this package is easy to use and helpful for a wide range of patients, especially those from communities who often miss out on PR. The findings will help decide if a larger study is needed to compare this support with usual care.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

27 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

27 Jul 2026

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

What is this study about?

If you live with a long-term lung condition called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), you'll know how challenging breathlessness can be. While there's no cure for COPD, a programme called Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) can make a big difference. It's a combination of education and exercise tailored to your needs, and it can really improve your quality of life, making everyday activities easier and potentially keeping you out of hospital.

However, we know that many people who are referred to PR never actually start the programme. This can be for lots of reasons, like long waiting lists, travel difficulties, or simply not understanding what PR is all about. This is especially true for people from certain communities who might not have as much access to information or support. This UPTURN study aims to tackle this problem head-on.

Researchers have worked closely with patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to create a special "Prepare for PR" support package. This package is designed to help you feel more confident and prepared for PR, so you're more likely to attend and benefit from it. This current study is a trial run to see if this support package works well in practice and if people find it helpful. If it proves to be useful and easy to deliver, it could pave the way for bigger studies to make PR more accessible to everyone who needs it.

Key takeaways

This study helps people with COPD access beneficial Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR).
It tests a new support package including a welcome pack and phone support.
The aim is to make PR more accessible, especially for diverse communities.
Participation involves receiving information and an optional support call.
The study takes place in England and lasts about 6 months.
It could lead to better support for all COPD patients in the future.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for around 40 people across England who have been diagnosed with COPD and referred to a Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) service. To join, you need to be at least 18 years old and referred to a PR service that has a waiting list of about 6 to 10 weeks before your first appointment.

You won't be able to take part if your PR service has specific rules that mean you can't join their programme, or if you've previously said you don't want your NHS information used for research. Also, your local PR service needs to be taking part in this study, which will be in areas with lots of different communities, financial challenges, and many people with COPD.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you been diagnosed with COPD?
Have you been referred to your local NHS Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) service?
Do you expect to wait about 6-10 weeks before your first PR assessment?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you're invited to take part, your journey will have a few straightforward steps. Firstly, you'll receive a letter explaining the study. If you don't want to participate, you have one week to contact your PR team to opt out. If you don't opt out, your contact details will be shared safely with Asthma + Lung UK.

Next, Asthma + Lung UK will send you a welcome pack. This pack is full of helpful information about PR, stories from other patients, and tools to help you plan. You can keep this pack and use it in your own time. After this, you'll be offered a short, 20-minute support call with an Asthma + Lung UK Health Advisor, typically before your first PR assessment. You can choose not to have this call recorded. Finally, some participants will be asked if they'd like to have an optional 30-60 minute chat with the university team about their experience with the support service. This interview is completely optional, and you’ll need to agree to it separately.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several benefits. The support package is designed to make you feel more informed, confident, and motivated to attend Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR). You'll receive information, tools, and personalised phone support to help you understand PR better, plan for it, and feel more reassured. As for risks, some people might feel uncomfortable if they receive unexpected contact, or if they don't remember or understand how to opt out. However, the study team will make sure all information about opting out is clear and easy to understand, and your privacy will be protected by only sharing essential personal details through secure, NHS-approved methods.

Locations (3)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Luton Community Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service
City only
Luton, England
Tower Hamlets Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service
City only
London, England
Birmingham Community Pulmonary Service
City only
Handsworth, England

Common questions

What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR)?

PR is a special exercise and education programme for people with lung conditions like COPD. It helps you breathe easier and feel stronger.

Why is this study important?

Many people with COPD don't attend PR, even though it's very helpful. This study is testing new support to help more people benefit from it.

Do I have to do exercise if I join?

The study offers support to help you prepare for and attend PR, which includes exercise. Taking part in the support study itself doesn't involve exercise from the researchers.

Who is running this study?

The study is being run by researchers from a university, with support from Asthma + Lung UK, and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Can I change my mind after I start?

Yes, you can choose to stop taking part at any time, even if you've already received the welcome pack or had a support call.

How to find out more

Estelle Payerne

e.payerne@uea.ac.uk +44 1603591263 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.