RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effect of cold stimulation over face on 6 minute walk distance (6MWD), oxygen saturation and dyspnea scores in patients with COPD
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P292
VO 44
IS Suppl 58
A1 Shweta Rasam
A1 Devashree Salvi
A1 Yogesh Thorat
A1 Sandeep Salvi
A1 Rahul Kodgule
YR 2014
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P292.abstract
AB Background: Earlier studies have shown that blowing cold air over the face reduces dyspnea in patients with COPD presumably by stimulation of cold receptors over face. We aimed to study the effect of cold stimulation over face by ice application on 6MWD and dyspnea perception in patients with COPD. Methods: In this cross-over study, 33 patients with COPD were treated with application of ice pack and normal water pack over face in randomized sequence during six-minute walk test. The distance walked in six minutes (6MWD) and Borg dyspnea score, oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate and respiratory rate at 6 minutes were compared between the two treatments after adjusting for the baseline values. Results: 6MWD was similar with both treatments (Ice=409±12 m, water=398±12 m, p=0.541). SpO2 after 6 minute-walk was significantly higher with ice treatment (95.93±0.45) compared to water (94.43±0.45, p=0.022). Borg's dsypnea score was similar with both treatments (5.46±0.43 with ice vs. 5.57±0.43 with ice, p=0.85).There were no differences between treatments for rest of the parametersView this table:Comparison of post 6-minute walk values between ice and water treatments. Conclusion: Cold stimulation over face reduces exercise induced hypoxia but does not impact perception of breathlessness or 6MWD in patients with COPD.