The Use of a Handheld Fan to Manage Breathlessness - A Feasibility Study

Launched by CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · Sep 9, 2009

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

A previous randomised controlled trial (Galbraith et al, accepted for publication) has shown a reduction in breathlessness after 5 minutes use of a fan directed to the cheeks. This study is a feasibility study to determine how long this beneficial effect lasts.

With the patient in a relaxed sitting position and ensuring there is no other fan or open window blowing air onto the subject, the following will be explained to the patient and then measured and recorded

* Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for dyspnoea
* Visual analogue scale (VAS) for breathlessness with end anchors
* O2 saturation us...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Any patient able and willing to cooperate with the study and who defines themselves as breathless at rest by answering 'yes' to the question, 'Do you currently feel short of breath?'
• • Any diagnosis causing breathlessness
• • Age \>3 0years
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who have previously used a handheld fan to manage their breathlessness
• • Patients with fever \>38 0C in last 24 hours
• • Patients on continuous oxygen
• • Patients requiring short burst oxygen therapy whilst completing the study
• • Patients with diseases or treatment affecting the trigeminal nerve supply.
• • Patients with other diseases which, in the opinion of the researcher or investigator, may affect the mechanism of action of the fan
• • Patients unable to understand or cooperate with study
• • Patients who do not wish to participate in the study