Does the use of a handheld fan improve intractable breathlessness?

Completed

• Conditions: Breathlessness from malignant or non-malignant cause; Signs and Symptoms; Abnormalities of breathing

• Registration Number: ISRCTN44193804
• Lead Sponsor: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2008-06-27
• Last Update Posted: 13 January 2015

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 49

Inclusion Criteria

1. Patient is chronically breathless
2. Dyspnoea Exertion Scale (DES) levels 2 or above
3. Any diagnosis causing intractable breathlessness
4. Aged greater than 30 years, either sex

Exclusion Criteria

1. Anaemic patients with haemoglobin (Hb) less than 10 g/l
2. Patients with fever greater than 38.0°C in last 24 hours
3. Patients on continuous oxygen
4. Patients requiring short burst oxygen therapy whilst completing the study
5. Patients with diseases or treatment affecting the trigeminal nerve supply
6. Patients on beta blockers
7. Patients with known autonomic neuropathy
8. Patients with peripheral vascular disease
9. Patients with cerebral disease or receiving cerebral radiotherapy
10. Patients with known severe cardiac or intrapulmonary arterio-venous shunts
11. Patients unable to understand or cooperate with study
12. Patients who do not wish to participate in the study
13. Patients whose disease is not maximally medically treated

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified