Cooling Fan Exercise for COPD

Overseen By Dennis Jensen, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McGill University

Disqualifiers: Recent medication change, Recent hospitalization, Exercise contraindications, others

Stay on Your Current Meds You can continue your current medications while participating

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 18

Duration: 5 weeks

32 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a fan blowing cool air on the face can help people with heart or lung diseases exercise longer and with less breathlessness. Participants will exercise either with a fan directed at their face or without a fan to determine which method improves endurance and comfort more. The trial aims to discover if this simple fan therapy, specifically using the Honeywell HT-900 Turbo Force Air Circulator, can enhance the benefits of exercise programs for those with conditions like COPD, a lung disease that makes breathing difficult. Individuals diagnosed with heart or lung diseases who can join a supervised exercise program might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to enhance exercise comfort and endurance.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you must not have changed your respiratory or cardiac medication dosage or frequency in the two weeks before joining the study.

What prior data suggests that this fan-to-face therapy is safe for exercise in COPD patients?

Research has shown that using a fan for cooling is safe and well-tolerated. The Honeywell HT-900 Turbo Force Air Circulator Fan, a typical household fan, is designed to keep users cool and provide a comfortable breeze.

People frequently use this fan at home and work without reports of harm. Its quiet operation allows for extended use without disturbance. Given its popularity for comfort, it is unlikely to cause issues in the trial.

Overall, the fan's widespread use suggests it is safe for this type of exercise study. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a unique technique for managing COPD symptoms. Unlike standard treatments that often involve medications like bronchodilators or corticosteroids, this trial investigates the use of airflow from a simple fan to potentially enhance exercise training. By directing airflow to the face, it targets the trigeminal nerve branches, which could offer a new, non-drug-based way to improve breathing comfort during exercise. This method could provide an accessible and low-cost option for COPD patients, potentially improving their exercise capacity and quality of life.

What evidence suggests that fan-to-face therapy is effective for COPD?

Research has shown that using a fan to blow cool air on the face can help people with breathing problems exercise more easily. In this trial, participants in the "Exercise training with Fan-to-face" arm will use this method, known as fan-to-face therapy. This approach may help individuals with conditions like COPD (a lung disease that makes breathing difficult) exercise longer and feel less short of breath. The cool air from the fan is believed to trigger facial nerves that reduce the sensation of breathlessness. Although specific studies on this exact method are limited, the concept is based on the body's natural reaction to cool air. Early findings suggest it could be a useful addition to exercise routines for those with breathing difficulties. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dennis Jensen, PhD

Principal Investigator

McGill University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with cardiopulmonary diseases like COPD or heart failure, who experience breathlessness during exertion and have a BMI between 18.5 and 35. They must be cleared by their doctor to exercise and not have had recent medication changes or hospitalizations.

Inclusion Criteria

Have a body mass index of >18.5 kg/m2 and <35 kg/m2

Be cleared to participate in a supervised exercise training program by their primary care physician

I have been diagnosed with a heart or lung condition.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot exercise or have certain tests due to health issues like recent surgery or coughing up blood.

I have not changed my heart or lung medication in the last two weeks.

I was hospitalized due to my condition worsening in the last six weeks.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Pulmonary function testing and incremental exercise treadmill test to determine exercise intensity

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

5-week supervised exercise training with or without fan-to-face therapy

5 weeks

15 visits (in-person)

Post-Treatment Assessment

DEXA scan and exercise endurance test to assess changes in body composition and endurance

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Honeywell HT-900 Turbo Force Air Circulator

Trial Overview

The study tests if using a Honeywell HT-900 fan to blow cool air on the face helps people with cardiopulmonary disease exercise longer and feel less breathless compared to no fan use, during treadmill exercises at set intensities.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise training with Fan-to-face Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the fan-to-face group will perform supervised exercise training with a basic, portable fan (Honeywell HT-900 Turbo Force Air Circulator). The fan will be placed to the front of the treadmill with airflow directed toward the area of the face innervated by the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve. The airflow speed will be chosen by each participant so that it is most comfortable to them. An anemometer will measure the airflow from the fan.

Group II: Exercise training with no fan Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the no fan group will perform supervised exercise training with no fan. The exercise duration and intensity titration will follow the same format as the experimental group.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McGill University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

421

Recruited

1,017,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The COPD recovery training ventilator is designed to assist with expiration and reduce functional residual capacity (FRC), which can help improve breathing efficiency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

It utilizes a micro-computer to stimulate the phrenic nerve for stronger inhalation and incorporates abdominal muscle stimulation to enhance exhalation, potentially leading to better respiratory function and recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The development of a CPU controlled COPD recovery training ventilator]. An, Y., Lin, S., Wang, Q., et al.[2006]

In a study of 33 COPD patients, the physical properties of hand-held fans (HHFs) significantly influenced patient preferences, with the most preferred fan providing the highest airflow of 1.9 m/s at 30cm, leading to a total score of 140 out of 165.

Patient preference for HHFs was strongly correlated with the pleasantness and perceived airflow, indicating that both the physical characteristics of the fans and individual perceptions play a crucial role in their effectiveness for relieving breathlessness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hand-held fans: Physical Properties and Perceptions of Patients with COPD. Smith, TA., Cho, JG., Roberts, MM., et al.[2022]

Nasal high-flow therapy (HFT) significantly reduces minute ventilation during sleep in COPD patients, with a decrease of 0.63 L/min for every 10 L/min increase in airflow, primarily by lowering tidal volume without affecting respiratory rate or arterial CO2 levels.

The therapy's ability to decrease respiratory loads may help prevent muscle fatigue and respiratory failure, highlighting its potential as an effective intervention for improving breathing mechanics in COPD patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of Nasal High Flow Therapy on Minute Ventilation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Sowho, MO., Galiatsatos, P., Guzman, M., et al.[2023]

In a pilot study involving 14 patients with COPD, fan therapy significantly reduced exercise-induced breathlessness and improved post-exercise recovery time, indicating its potential as a beneficial intervention during physical activity.

The majority of participants (92%) found fan therapy acceptable, suggesting it could be a feasible option for managing breathlessness in COPD patients during exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of fan therapy during exercise on breathlessness and recovery time in patients with COPD: a pilot randomised controlled crossover trial. Long, A., Cartwright, M., Reilly, CC.[2022]

High-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) delivers humidified, heated oxygen-enriched air, which has been shown to improve mucociliary clearance and enhance gas exchange in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Recent studies indicate that HFNT can effectively reduce CO2 levels and improve lung function in stable COPD patients, highlighting its potential as a beneficial treatment option.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Mechanisms of Benefit of High-Flow Nasal Therapy in Stable COPD. Zantah, M., Pandya, A., Jacobs, MR., et al.[2020]

In a study of 44 hospitalized patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD, high-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) during pulmonary rehabilitation significantly improved exercise tolerance, as measured by the 6-minute walking distance, and reduced feelings of breathlessness.

HFNT also led to decreased systemic inflammation, indicated by lower C-reactive protein levels, and improved quality of life scores, suggesting it is an effective intervention for enhancing recovery in these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of high-flow nasal therapy during early pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with severe AECOPD: a randomized controlled study. Tung, LF., Shen, SY., Shih, HH., et al.[2021]

In a study of 79 patients with stable COPD, high-flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) significantly improved exercise endurance time by an average of 85 seconds compared to low-flow oxygen therapy (LFOT), indicating its potential as a more effective treatment during exercise.

HFOT also resulted in higher oxygen saturation levels and lower respiratory rates, along with reduced feelings of breathlessness (dyspnea), suggesting it enhances overall exercise performance and comfort for COPD patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of High-Flow Oxygen on Exercise Performance in COPD Patients. Randomized Trial. Bitos, K., Furian, M., Mayer, L., et al.[2021]

In a study of 10 COPD patients, directing air current to the face significantly improved exercise performance, allowing patients to exercise for an average of 14.3 minutes compared to 9.4 minutes when the air was directed to the leg.

The application of air current to the face also reduced the perception of breathlessness, as indicated by a lower Borg dyspnea score at maximal exercise, suggesting that this method may help alleviate symptoms of dyspnea in COPD patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Air Current Applied to the Face Improves Exercise Performance in Patients with COPD. Marchetti, N., Lammi, MR., Travaline, JM., et al.[2019]

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The 3 speed Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator provides a quiet and efficient means of cooling a surrounding area. The HT-900 is 25% quieter than its ...

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Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan Black

Power Source, Corded Electric. Room Type, Bedroom. Recommended Uses For Product, Air Circulation. Mounting Type, Tabletop Mount.

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TurboForce® Power Air Circulator Fan, HT900

The uniquely engineered fan blades provide quiet, powerful personal cooling that's great on a tabletop or mounted to the wall in your home or office.

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Honeywell Turbo Force Air Circulator Personal Fan, New ...

Adjustable Speeds: Features 3 speed settings and a 90-degree pivoting head for customizable cooling and air circulation. Powerful Cooling: Aerodynamic turbo ...

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Honeywell TurboForce Table Air Circulator Fan Black HT900

TurboForce power for intense cooling or use as air circulator for energy savings · 25% quieter than comparable fans for effortless ongoing use in almost any room.

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TurboForce® Power Air Circulator Fan, HT900

The uniquely engineered fan blades provide quiet, powerful personal cooling that's great on a tabletop or mounted to the wall in your home or office.

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Brand: Honeywell. Color: Black. Electric fan design: Table Fan. Power Source: Corded Electric. Style: 4 pack. Product Dimensions: 6.3"D x 10.9"W x 10.9"H.