Brief Behavioral Intervention for Dyspnea in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer

Many individuals with advanced lung cancer experience debilitating breathlessness at some
point during the course of their illness. Unfortunately, few interventions exist to treat
this distressing symptom of cancer.

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of a brief behavioral intervention may help
relieve breathlessness in individuals with advanced lung cancer. Participants will have a
50/50 chance of receiving the behavioral intervention or standard care. The principal
investigator of the study, Dr. Joseph Greer, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has
trained oncology nurses in how to deliver the behavioral intervention. The oncology nurses
will meet with participants during their outpatient oncology appointments, such as
chemotherapy infusions, to review the behavioral skills that may help with breathlessness.
This intervention involves no medications but rather teaches patients skills for breathing
control and relaxation of the body.

Inclusion Criteria:

- A diagnosis of stage IV NSCLC or extensive stage SCLC

- Self-reported shortness of breath (a score of 2 or greater on the Modified Medical
Research Council Dyspnea Scale)

- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status from 0 (asymptomatic) to
2 (symptomatic and in bed <50% of day)

- The ability to read and respond to questions English

- Primary cancer care at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center or
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI)

- Age >18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

- Cognitive or psychiatric conditions prohibiting study consent or participation.

- A treating clinician who reports that the patient is inappropriate for the study