RecruitingInterventional

Evaluating a primary care intervention for chronic breathlessness

The PrimaryBreathe study aims to help people who experience ongoing shortness of breath because of long-term health problems, such as heart or lung conditions. While specialist teams already use helpful breathing and relaxation techniques, this study wants to see if these methods can be successfully offered in local GP practices across England. The treatment is safe, doesn't involve new medicines, and has been developed with input from patients and doctors. Participants will either try the new breathlessness treatment with a trained health professional at their GP practice or continue with their usual care. Researchers want to find out how well it works and if it's a cost-effective option for more people.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Enrolment target

506

Start

01 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2026

Specialty: General Practice, Primary sub-specialty: General Practice; Health Category: Cardiovascular, Respiratory; Disease/Condition: Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems

What is this study about?

Many people with long-term health problems like heart disease or lung conditions often feel breathless, even after their main illness is being treated. This can make daily life very difficult. While there are specialist teams who can offer support, like teaching people breathing exercises or relaxation techniques, these services aren't always easy for everyone to get.

This study, called PrimaryBreathe, is looking at whether these helpful techniques can be offered by trained health professionals directly in your local GP practice. The aim is to make this safe and effective support available to many more people. The treatment itself doesn't involve new medicines; it focuses on practical ways to manage breathlessness.

We've already spent five years working with patients, carers, GP staff, and researchers to make sure this approach is suitable for general practices. We've also checked if it's practical to run. Now, we're doing the main study to see just how much it helps people feel better and if it's a good use of resources for the NHS. This research is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a major funder of health research in the UK.

Key takeaways

The study helps people living with ongoing breathlessness.
It tests a new way to offer support in local GP practices.
The treatment involves safe breathing and relaxation techniques, not new medicine.
Participants will either get the new treatment or usual care.
No risks are expected from taking part.
The study aims to see if the new approach is effective and good value for money.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, you would need to be an adult (18 years or older) and be registered with a GP practice in England that is involved in the study. You must also be experiencing ongoing breathlessness for at least eight weeks, which is linked to a long-term condition like heart or lung disease.

Your GP practice also needs to meet certain requirements to be part of the study. This includes using specific computer systems and having a health professional and a GP who are willing and able to deliver the new treatment and oversee the study.

Separately, the study is also looking to speak to GP staff, patients who receive the treatment, carers, and some patients who were invited but did not take part, to get their views and experiences.

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?
Are you registered at a GP practice in England that is taking part in the study?
Have you been feeling breathless for at least 8 weeks?
Is your breathlessness linked to a long-term condition like heart or lung disease?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, you'll be placed into one of two groups by chance (like flipping a coin). One group will receive the new PrimaryBreathe treatment at their GP practice. This group will have 2 or 3 appointments with a trained health professional who will teach them up to two techniques to help with their breathlessness. The other group will continue to receive their usual care from their GP practice. Everyone in the study will be followed up for a period of time, though the exact duration isn't specified, but the study itself runs from April 2026 to February 2027.

Potential risks and benefits

The main goal of taking part in this study is for people receiving the new treatment to feel better and experience fewer problems with their breathlessness. The researchers will be carefully checking if this happens. Importantly, no risks are expected from taking part in this study. The breathlessness techniques are safe and do not involve taking any new medications. You are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (12)

Norwich
Approximate
Norwich, England
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Approximate
Leicester, England
Freeman Road Hospital
City only
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
St James' S University Hospital
Approximate
Leeds, England
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Approximate
Manchester, England
New Cross Hospital Royal Wolverhampton
City only
Wolverhampton, England
The Royal London Hospital
Approximate
London, England
Southampton General Hospital
Approximate
Southampton, England
Royal Surrey County Hospital
Approximate
Guildford, England
St Thomas' Hospital
Approximate
London, England
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Unverified
Bristol, England
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Exeter, England

Common questions

What kind of breathlessness are you studying?

We are studying ongoing breathlessness that has lasted for at least 8 weeks and is linked to other long-term health conditions like heart or lung disease.

Will I have to take new medicines?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medicines. The treatment focuses on practical techniques like breathing or relaxation.

How long will the treatment appointments take?

If you receive the treatment, you will have 2 or 3 appointments with a trained health professional at your GP practice.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a government organisation in the UK.

What if I decide I don't want to be in the study anymore?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, and it will not affect your usual medical care.

How to find out more

Cheryl Chapman

primarybreathe@medschl.cam.ac.uk - Official trial record

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