TY - JOUR T1 - Heliox moderates multidimensional domains of exertional dyspnoea in people with COPD JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.PA5037 VL - 48 IS - suppl 60 SP - PA5037 AU - Toby Hunt AU - Peter Frith AU - Gordon Ford AU - David Schembri AU - Marie Williams Y1 - 2016/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/48/suppl_60/PA5037.abstract N2 - Introduction Avoidance and premature cessation of exercise resulting from exertional dyspnoea are common in people with COPD. Dyspnoea includes multidimensional domains of intensity, unpleasantness and sensory descriptors. Low viscosity Helium gas mixes are known to improve exercise tolerance, but their effect on multidimensional domains of exertional dyspnoea in people with COPD are unknown.Aim To determine if a mixture of 79:21 Helium:Oxygen (Heliox [HeO2]) alters the perception of exertional dyspnoea during constant work rate (CWR) exercise in people with COPD.Methods Using a randomized, double blind, cross over design, participants completed four cycle ergometry tests including, an incremental symptom limited test to WRmax, a familiarisation CWR (at 60% WRmax) test on medical air (MA) and CWR tests on HeO2 and MA. Gas mixes were administered via closed breathing circuits. On large format charts, participants indicated VAS ratings (intensity, unpleasantness) and applicable descriptors every two minutes. VAS ratings and descriptors were analysed using random effects mixed modelling.Results 14 people (11 male; mean age 69.3±6.6 yrs, FEV1 39±9 %pred) completed all sessions. Endurance time significantly increased under HeO2 conditions (9.3±9.2 vs. 14.3±9.1 min). Significantly slower rates of increase were observed under HeO2 conditions for both dyspnoea intensity (p = 0.04) and unpleasantness (p=0.03). The frequency with which the dyspnoea descriptors Air Hunger (p=0.04) and Work/Effort (p=0.003) were selected was also significantly lower under HeO2 conditions.Conclusion Heliox reduces unpleasant sensations of exertional dyspnoea thereby contributing to improved exercise tolerance in people with COPD. ER -