PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Tim Luckett
AU  - Jane Phillips
AU  - Miriam J. Johnson
AU  - Morag Farquhar
AU  - Flavia Swan
AU  - Teresa Assen
AU  - Priyanka Bhattarai
AU  - Sara Booth
TI  - Contributions of a hand-held fan to self-management of chronic breathlessness
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.00262-2017
DP  - 2017 Aug 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 1700262
VI  - 50
IP  - 2
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/50/2/1700262.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/50/2/1700262.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2017 Aug 01; 50
AB  - This study explored the benefits of a hand-held fan as perceived by patients with chronic breathlessness and their carers.A secondary multimethod analysis was conducted of interview data collected in three clinical trials. Two researchers independently coded level of benefit qualitatively reported by each patient. Univariate and multivariate statistics were used to explore perceived benefit as a factor of sex, age and diagnosis. Qualitative analysis used an integrative method.133 patients commented on the fan, of whom 72 had a carer. Diagnoses included nonmalignant (n=91, 68.4%) and malignant (n=21, 15.8%) conditions. Of 111 patients who provided codable data, four (3.6%) perceived no benefit, 16 (14.4%) were uncertain, 80 (72.0%) perceived some benefit and 11 (10.0%) perceived very substantial benefit. Multivariate analysis was inconclusive. Benefit was described in terms of shorter recovery time, especially after activity. 10 (7.5%) patients said the fan reduced their need for home oxygen or inhaled β-agonist medications. Negative perceptions of a few included dislike of the cooling sensation and embarrassment in public.Findings suggest that a hand-held fan is a portable intervention with few disadvantages from which most patients with chronic breathlessness will derive benefit alongside other nonpharmacological and pharmacological strategies. Research is needed to optimise guidance on fan administration.A hand-held fan is a portable intervention with few disadvantages likely to benefit those with chronic breathlessness http://ow.ly/mWB830bFoac