Airflow rates and breathlessness recovery from submaximal exercise in healthy adults: prospective, randomised, cross-over study

Brew, Andrew; O'Beirne, Sarah; Johnson, Miriam J.; Ramsenthaler, Christina; Watson, Peter; Rubini, Philip A.; Fagan, Michael J.; Swan, Flavia; Simpson, Andrew

Abstract

Objectives: Facial airflow from a hand-held fan may reduce breathlessness severity and hasten postexertion recovery. Data from randomised controlled trials are limited and the optimal airflow speed remains unknown. We aimed to determine the effect of different airflow speeds on recovery from exercise-induced breathlessness. Methods: A prospective, randomised, cross-over design. Ten healthy participants (seven male; mean age 29±4 years; height 175±9 cm; body mass 76.9±14.1 kg) completed six bouts of 4 min of exercise. During the first 5 min of a 20 min recovery phase, participants received one of five airflow speeds by holding a fan ∼15 cm from their face, or no fan control, administered in random order. Fan A had an internal blade, and fan B had an external blade. Breathlessness was measured using a numerical rating scale (NRS) at minute intervals for the first 10 min, and facial skin temperature was recorded using a thermal imaging camera (immediately postexertion and 5 min recovery). Results: Nine participants completed the trial. A significant main effect for airflow speed (p=0.016, ≠p2=0.285) and interaction effect for airflow speed over time (p=0.008, ≠p2=0.167) suggest that the airflow speed modifies breathlessness during recovery from exercise. Fan speeds of 1.7 m/s or greater increased the speed of recovery from breathlessness compared with control (p<0.05) with the highest airflow speeds (2.5 m/s and 3.3 m/s) giving greatest facial cooling. Conclusion: Higher airflow rates (1.7 m/s or greater) reduced self-reported recovery times from exercise-induced breathlessness and reduced facial temperature.

Citation

Brew, A., O'Beirne, S., Johnson, M. J., Ramsenthaler, C., Watson, P., Rubini, P. A., Fagan, M. J., Swan, F., & Simpson, A. (online). Airflow rates and breathlessness recovery from submaximal exercise in healthy adults: prospective, randomised, cross-over study. BMJ supportive & palliative care, https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2023-004309

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 21, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 5, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 29, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 7, 2023
• Journal: BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
• Print ISSN: 2045-435X
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2023-004309
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4371313