FANFARE-P trial Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FAN Facial Airflow Recovery from Exercise - Patient Trial (FANFARE-P)
IRAS ID
300915
Contact name
Flavia Swan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hull
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN12024425
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Many people with long-term lung and heart conditions suffer from persistent and disabling breathlessness despite taking the best medication for their disease. Non-drug treatments such as cool airflow from the handheld fan (fan) can help patients manage persistent breathlessness, including giving a faster recovery after activity.
However, we do not know the most effective airflow rate for recovery of breathlessness and as there are different types of fans available there is no guarantee that a person’s chosen fan will deliver the right airflow for maximal recovery from breathlessness.We also are aware that some patients do not use the fan, even though it helps, due to embarrassment because of its appearance.
The aim is to identify the optimal fan airflow rate for recovery from breathlessness in people with persistent breathlessness and which fan/airflow speed is preferred.
Participants (people with persistent breathlessness) will perform 6 short bouts of exercise each for a maximum of one minute (1 minute sit to stand test).
Following each exercise test participants will be asked to sit in a chair and while they recover participants will have airflow from a fan directed towards their nose and mouth held 10 to 15cm from their face for five tests and no fan for a control test.
We will test two different fan types (blades enclosed and open) with a total of 5 varying airflow rates in a random order.
We will measure the following during recovery from each exercise test: heart rate, oxygen levels and how breathless the participant feels and a skin temperature “photo-map” of the participant’s face.
After the tests we will ask participants to tell us about their fan and flow-rate preferences.
We will use the results from this study to help design a fan with the optimal airflow speed for recovery from breathlessness that patients are comfortable to use in everyday life.Summary of Results
We recruited 10 participants and 8 participants were included in the results (1 withdrawn and 1 excluded). Facial airflow from a fan improved breathlessness recovery after exercise and reduced facial skin temperature compared with control. A fan speed of 4.91 m/s had the greatest cooling effect, but not the quickest recovery and participants stated they found this speed unpleasant. The results showed the best airflow speed from the fan to improve breathlessness recovery was 2.85 m/s.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
21/WS/0102
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion