New Neck-Worn device could ease COPD breathlessness in veterans

NCT ID NCT07404826

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests a small, portable device called PEP Buddy that Veterans with COPD wear around their neck to help control breathlessness. Researchers will compare it to a sham device that looks the same but only provides the pressure of normal pursed-lip breathing. The goal is to see if the real device helps symptoms and exercise capacity improve faster during pulmonary rehabilitation and last longer after rehab ends.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: PEP Buddy (a portable device worn around the neck that provides positive expiratory pressure to ease breathing)
What this could lead to: If it works, this device could help people with COPD breathe easier and get more out of pulmonary rehabilitation, with benefits lasting longer after rehab ends.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage trial with only 120 participants, and the sham device also provides some benefit from standard pursed-lip breathing, so the real device may not show a clear advantage.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, severe early onset

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COPD

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
RECRUITING

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45220-2213, United States
Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106-1702, United States

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