A double-blind, randomised study to explore the effect of the body's own morphine-like chemicals on exercise induced breathlessness in people with emphysema

Project Member(s): Davidson, P.

Funding or Partner Organisation: National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC Project Grants)

Start year: 2014

Summary: Recent work from the United States has demonstrated that a person¿s own (endogenous) opioids help to modulate the feeling of dyspnoea in people with COPD while exercising. [Mahler 2009] This double blind, crossover study was conducted on 17 participants with moderate to severe COPD. Their maximal exercise tolerance on both speed and inclination on a treadmill were calculated for each participant. On separate days before exercising to 75% of maximal exercise tolerance for as long as possible, participants were randomly administered either intravenous normal saline or intravenous naloxone, an opioid antagonist that has central and peripheral actions.

Keywords: Breathlessness, Methylnaltrexone, opioid

FOR Codes: Respiratory Diseases, Respiratory System and Diseases (incl. Asthma), Respiratory diseases , Clinical health

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.