M11 Fan therapy to the face during exercise improves breathlessness and recovery time in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot randomised cross over trial

Abstract

Background Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) reduce physical activity to avoid the onset of breathlessness. Fan therapy (FT) can reduce breathlessness at rest, but the efficacy of FT during exercise remains unknown. Aims and objectives Does FT improve breathlessness intensity and post exertional recovery time? Methods A randomised crossover trail of FT vs no FT during 6 min walk test (6MWT) in patients with COPD and a MRC dyspnoea score ≥2. Breathlessness intensity was quantified pre, post and during the 6MWT. In addition post exertional recovery time was measured; defined as the time taken to return to baseline NRS score. Results 13 patients, with a median FEV1/VC ratio of 57.6 and age 64 (57–82), completed the trial. 4 (31%) were male whilst 6 (46%) were current smokers. NRS breathlessness intensity during the 6MWT was less for the FT group; median (range) 4.5 (0–7.5) vs 6.0 (0–8.5) effect size r=−0.41 p=0.15. Improved recovery time (seconds) was also observed in the FT group: 120 (0–210) vs 180 (0–320), effect size r=0.54 p=0.05. 8 (62%) of patients reported an improvement in their NRS≥MCID of 1 for the NRS score. Conclusion Findings suggest that FT during exercise reduces breathlessness intensity and improves post exertional breathlessness recovery time.