Breathe easier.
We’re studying how supported lifestyle changes can help Albertans with breathing concerns improve their overall health — and get back to what they love.
Struggling to breathe can get in the way of living the full life we all imagine. Long dog walks, weekend mall trips and summer bike rides might feel more like memories than future plans. But change is possible. We’re a group of Canadian researchers looking to support those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and related challenges like diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Our study will place participants in small cohorts and provide each group with six months of care from a coordinated health team at no cost. The team includes a dietitian, exercise specialist, psychologist and respiratory therapist. The study will offer participants the practical tools they need to make real changes to their fitness and nutrition. Our goal is to help those with COPD live longer, healthier lives.
Who can join?
Consider participating if you are 18 years or older and any of the following statements apply:
Living with…
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Metabolic syndrome (MetS)
Type 2 diabetes
Hypertension
Heart disease
Breathing issues
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
High triglycerides
Weight concerns
Or if you are taking one or more medications to control any of the health concerns listed above
Research shows lifestyle changes can improve the long-term health of those living with COPD.
COPD is a common lung disease that makes it hard to breathe at times. It might include a chronic cough or trouble catching one’s breath, especially during physical activity. It’s estimated that 50 per cent of people with COPD also have metabolic syndrome (MetS) — a health disorder that, left untreated, greatly increases the risk of many chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. In Canada, one in five adults has MetS, and yet many are unaware of it. MetS is present when a patient has three or more of the following conditions:
High blood pressure
High blood glucose levels
High triglycerides
Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
Large waist circumference
While many Canadians live with undiagnosed MetS, there is good news. Changes to lifestyle can stop MetS and the severity of related health issues — all while also slowing the progress of COPD. Put simply, changes to diet and exercise can help patients live longer, healthier lives with those they love. That’s why leading professionals at Metabolic Syndrome Canada created the CHANGE Program, which uses lifestyle interventions to target MetS. The CHANGE Program has teamed up with the digital platform My Viva Plan® to conduct the COPD Lifestyle Change Study and help Albertans have more good days.
Join the study and receive six months of no-cost, holistic care to manage diet and exercise and improve overall quality of life. Plus, contribute to research that could change the lives of thousands of Canadians — and save the health-care system millions.
Join the COPD Lifestyle Change Study and start breathing easier.
Participants will receive:
Six months of support at no cost, delivered via online group sessions by a team of health-care professionals (including a dietitian, exercise specialist, psychologist and respiratory therapist)
One year of no-cost access to My Viva Plan®, a digital wellness platform created by Canadian healthcare professionals. My Viva Plan® empowers participants to take control of their health through personalized exercise and meal plans, grocery lists, chef-inspired recipes, meditation practices, daily reflections, stress assessments and more
Regular, in-person assessments by current family doctor and study health-care team to track progress
Study benefits include:
Support from a dedicated, coordinated health-care team
Virtual care delivered to the comfort of home or work
Progressive learning and change
Freedom to set personal, achievable goals
Practical skills, from meal planning to exercise
Peer support
Improved confidence in using digital tools to manage health
While every participant is different, some may also experience:
Improved management of blood sugars, blood fats and blood pressure
Increased energy, physical strength and endurance
Improved sleep
Increased mental clarity and self-confidence
Better control over body weight
Better management of breathing issues
“A diet and exercise intervention is the most effective treatment for so many conditions I see on a daily basis, but it’s hard to get patients to change their behaviour. In 20 years of practice, rarely have I been able to stop medication for a patient, but with the CHANGE Program, I did it several times. As a family doctor, seeing such positive outcomes is hugely rewarding.”
Dr. Doug Klein, Principal Investigator, COPD Lifestyle Change Study
