Move With Air: Physiological Response Assessment

A fan blowing cool air to the face has been shown to alleviate breathlessness in malignant and non-malignant disease at rest and during exercise, however the underlying physiological mechanisms remain unknown. This random order, three-condition design study will explore physiological mechanisms of breathlessness relief with fan-to-face therapy during constant-rate exercise in people with cardiorespiratory disease.

Inclusion Criteria:have a physician diagnosis of cardiopulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, heart failure)must report breathlessness on exertion, defined as modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale rating ≥2 despite optimal treatment of their underlying cardiopulmonary pathophysiology according to established clinical practice guidelineshave a body mass index of >18.5 kg/m2 and <35 kg/m2must be cleared by a physician to perform physical activity/exercise following the completion of the 'Medical Clearance Form for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing'.Exclusion Criteria:have changed their respiratory or cardiac medication dosage and/or frequency of administration in preceding two weekshave had a disease exacerbation/hospitalization in preceding six weekshave important contraindication(s) to exercise (e.g., significant musculoskeletal or neurological disease) or pulmonary function testing (e.g., eye, chest or stomach surgery, or any history of coughing up significant amounts of blood in the previous 3 months).