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Effects of high-flow nasal cannula with oxygen on self-paced exercise performance in COPD: A randomized cross-over trial

Chao KY, Liu WL, Nassef Y, Tseng CW, Wang JS

Medicine, 2021

30 participants · 9 citations

Abstract

Introduction: Studies have demonstrated that noninvasive ventilation improves exercise intolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The role of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy in patients with COPD on self-paced exercise performance remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine whether HFNC-aided supplemental oxygen during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) would change self-paced exercise performance and cardiopulmonary outcomes in patients with stable COPD.

Methods: A single-site, cross-over trial was conducted in a pulmonary rehabilitation outpatient department. This study enrolled 30 stable COPD patients without disability. The participants with and without HFNC performed 6MWTs on 2 consecutive days. Outcomes were the distance walked in the 6MWT, physiological, and cardiopulmonary parameters.

Results: Those performing HFNC-aided walking exhibited a longer walking distance than those performing unaided walking. The mean difference in meters walked between the HFNC-aided and unaided walking scenarios was 27.3 ± 35.6 m (95% CI: 14.4-40.5 m). The energy expenditure index was significantly lower when walking was aided by HHHNFC rather than unaided (median: 1.21 beats/m walked vs median: 1.37 beats/m walked, P < .001). However, there were no differences in transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension between HHHNFC and non-HHHNFC patients.

Conclusion: Walking distance and arterial oxygen saturation…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 30 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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