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

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 using pulse oximeter
• Pulse rate using pulse oximeter
• Room temperature and humidity recorded

The patients will be asked to avoid talking or significantly change position throughout the study.

Fan to cheeks The investigator will demonstrate to the patient how to use the handheld fan directed to the cheeks. The appropriate area on the face, which corresponds to the area innervated by 2nd and 3rd trigeminal nerve branches, will be demonstrated by the researcher. The patient will then use the fan as demonstrated and this will be timed for 5 minutes with the patient in a relaxed sitting position.

Assessment following treatment with fan After 5 minutes use of the fan directed at cheeks, the following will be recorded immediately

• NRS and VAS for dyspnoea
• Relief score, a 5 point rating of how much relief from breathlessness the participant has obtained (0=nil, 1= a little relief , 2= moderate relief, 3=good relief, 4=no longer breathless/maximal relief)
• O2 saturation
• Pulse rate

Participants who have had no improvement in breathlessness as measured by VAS, NRS or gained no relief assessed by the relief score will end the study at this point.

Participants who have an improvement in breathlessness will continue the study and NRS and VAS will to be recorded every 10 minutes in alternating order until the NRS or/and VAS have returned to baseline values or reached a steady level.

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