Tests a physiotherapist program to improve inhaler use in people with COPD
Tests whether physiotherapist coaching improves correct inhaler use in adults with COPD.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Hôpital Fribourgeois
- Where
- Fribourg, SwitzerlandSee the site
- Trial code
- Registry title
- Assessing and Improving Misuse of Inhalers in COPD Outpatients
- Status
- Not yet recruiting
- People taking part
- 116 people, planned
- Started
- 1 Jun 2026
- Expected to end
- 31 Dec 2029
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets no study treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Physiotherapist-Led Inhaler Optimization Program
- Record updated
- 14 May 2026
Who can take part
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with COPD who already use a maintenance inhaler and are followed at the lung clinic of HFR Fribourg.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join
- Disease stage
- COPD confirmed by a breathing test (spirometry), with FEV1/FVC below 0.7
- Earlier treatment
- Must be using at least one maintenance inhaler now
Main reasons for not taking part
- Cannot give informed consent (for example severe memory or thinking problems, advanced psychiatric illness, or a language barrier that is not resolved)
- Life expectancy under 12 months
- Mainly another chronic lung disease, such as asthma or fibrosis
- Any condition that stops the person from completing the study steps
- Taking part in another trial on inhaler technique
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 10 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Age ≥18 years
- COPD confirmed by spirometry (FEV1/FVC <0.7)
- Current use of at least one maintenance inhaler
- Follow-up at the outpatient pneumology clinic of HFR Fribourg
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Who cannot take part
- Inability to provide informed consent (e.g. severe cognitive impairment, advanced psychiatric disorder, unresolved language barrier)
- Predominant other chronic lung disease (e.g. asthma, fibrosis)
- Any condition preventing completion of study procedures
- Life expectancy <12 months
- Ongoing participation in another interventional trial on inhaler technique
Where in Switzerland
- HFR FribourgFribourg, SwitzerlandContact: Gaël Grandmaison, MDNo longer taking part
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common long-term lung disease that causes breathlessness, cough, and frequent flare-ups. Most patients with COPD use inhaled medications every day. However, many people do not use their inhalers correctly, or they cannot generate the right inspiratory flow for their device. When inhalers are used incorrectly, the medication does not reach the lungs properly, symptoms worsen, and the risk of exacerbations increases.
Read full original descriptionShow less
This pragmatic randomized controlled trial evaluates whether a structured physiotherapist-led inhaler optimization program improves inhaler use in routine outpatient COPD care. The program is delivered by trained physiotherapists over 12 months and includes three in-person sessions. During these sessions, the physiotherapist evaluates the patient's inhaler technique using placebo devices, measures the patient's peak inspiratory flow with the In-Check DIAL® device, and provides individualized "teach-to-goal" education to help patients use their inhalers correctly. If the patient continues to make critical errors or cannot generate the appropriate inspiratory flow for their inhaler, the physiotherapist may recommend adapting the type of inhaler to better match the patient's abilities.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive the structured program in addition to their usual COPD care. The control group will continue with usual outpatient care without the physiotherapist-led sessions. All participants will complete baseline and 12-month assessments, which include inhaler technique evaluation, inspiratory flow measurement, respiratory questionnaires, and lung function tests. Telephone follow-up calls will be performed at months 2, 5, and 8 to monitor symptoms, inhaler use, and adherence.
The main outcome of the study is the proportion of inhalers used incorrectly at 12 months. Incorrect use is defined as at least one critical inhaler technique error or an inspiratory flow that is too low or too high for the patient's device. Secondary outcomes include changes in respiratory symptoms, health status, adherence to inhaled treatment, patient satisfaction with inhalers, confidence in inhaler use, and the number of COPD exacerbations or hospitalizations during the study.
This research may help improve everyday inhaler use in people with COPD and support more personalized inhaler selection in routine clinical care. Although participants may not benefit directly, the study poses minimal risks and may contribute to future improvements in COPD management.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Intervention GroupTreatment being tested
Participants receive a structured, physiotherapist-led inhaler-optimization program in addition to their usual COPD care. The program includes three in-person visits at approximately Months 3, 6, and 9. During each visit, the physiotherapist assesses inhaler technique using device-specific placebo inhalers, measures peak inspiratory flow (PIF) with the In-Check DIAL® device, and provides individualized teach-to-goal inhaler education. If persistent critical errors or suboptimal PIF are identified, a recommendation is made to the treating physician to adapt the inhaler type. All participants undergo baseline and 12-month assessments identical to the control group.
Treatment: Physiotherapist-Led Inhaler Optimization Program
- Usual Outpatient COPD CareNo study treatment, for comparison
Participants receive standard outpatient COPD management from their treating physician. Usual care may include medication adjustments and inhaler review at the physician's discretion, but no structured physiotherapy sessions are added. Participants complete baseline and 12-month assessments identical to the intervention group, including inhaler technique evaluation, PIF measurement, respiratory questionnaires, and lung function testing.
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Assessing and Improving Misuse of Inhalers in Outpatients With COPD - The AIMO COPD Study
- Plain-language title
- Tests a physiotherapist program to improve inhaler use in people with COPDGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
- Record updated
- 14 May 2026