Comparing exercise performance with and without oxygen therapy in chronic lung disease patients

Exercise Performance on Ambient Air vs. Commonly Prescribed Nasal Low Oxygen Therapy - a Non-Inferiority Trial in Patients With Exercise Induced Desaturation Due to Chronic Lung Diseases

Not applicable Interventional University of Zurich · NCT06385301

This study is testing if using extra oxygen during exercise helps people with chronic lung diseases walk farther compared to exercising without it.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment14 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Zurich Academic / other
Locations1 site (Zurich)
Trial IDNCT06385301 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of supplemental oxygen therapy (SOT) on exercise performance in individuals with chronic lung diseases. Participants will undergo a 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test both with SOT and under ambient air conditions in a randomized cross-over design. The goal is to determine if the 6MWD with SOT is non-inferior to that performed in ambient air, with a focus on understanding the impact of oxygen therapy on exercise capacity.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with diagnosed chronic lung diseases who have experienced desaturation during exercise.

Not a fit: Patients with severe hypoxemia requiring supplemental oxygen therapy or those unable to participate due to medical or psychological conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help optimize exercise therapy for patients with chronic lung diseases, potentially improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored the effects of supplemental oxygen on exercise performance, suggesting potential benefits, but this specific approach is novel in its design.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Minimum 18 years of age
* Written informed consent
* Patients with diagnosed chronic lung disease
* Former desaturation under exercise defined as Spo2-decrease \>3%- Page 3 of 4
* Treated with a stable drug therapy (with no changes for at least 14 days prior to screening)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe hypoxemia needing supplemental oxygen therapy defined as (partial pressure of Oxygen (PaO2) \< 6.9 KiloPascal (kPa)
* Pregnancy
* Unability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention
* Unability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc.

Where this trial is running

Zurich

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lung Disease ChronicLung Diseases, InterstitialLung Diseases, ObstructiveSupplemental Oxygen Therapy6 Minute Walking DistanceChronic lung diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.