Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Pilot, open-label, randomized crossover trial
Participants
23 participants with CF and severe lung disease.
Interventions
Nasal high-flow therapy (NHFT). Participants completed two treadmill walking test (TWT) with and without NHFT at 24-48 h interval.
Outcome measures
Primary outcome was trial feasibility, and exploratory outcomes were TWT distance (TWTD), SpO(2), transcutaneous CO(2), dyspnoea and comfort.
Main results
Recruitment rate was 2.4 subjects/month with 1.3:1 screening-to-randomization ratio. No adverse events caused by NHFT were observed. Tolerability was good and data completion rate was 100%. Twenty subjects (91%) were included in the exploratory study. Mean difference in TWTD on NHFT was 19 m (95% CI [4.8 - 33.1]). S(p)O(2) was similar, but respiratory rate and mean tcCO(2) were lower on NHFT (mean difference = -3.9 breaths/min 95% CI [-5.9 - -1.9] and -0.22 kPa 95% CI [-0.4 - 0.04]). NHFT reduced exercise-induced dyspnoea and discomfort.
Authors' conclusions
Trials using NHFT in patients with CF during exercise are feasible. NHFT appears to improve walking distance, control respiratory rate, CO(2), dyspnoea and improve comfort. A larger trial with a longer intervention is feasible and warranted to confirm the impact of NHFT in training programmes for patients with CF.