Effect of oxygen during exercise in patients with chronic lung disease

Hyperoxia During Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Chronic Lung Disease - Does it Matter?

Not applicable Interventional Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences · NCT06174207

This study tests if giving extra oxygen to people with chronic lung disease while they exercise helps them feel better compared to using regular air.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment25 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorEastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences Academic / other
Locations1 site (Winterthur, Zürich)
Trial IDNCT06174207 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the impact of supplemental oxygen on patients with chronic lung diseases during exercise. It aims to determine whether providing oxygen during a constant work rate exercise test improves outcomes compared to using sham air. The study will include 25 patients who are stable and have exercise-induced hypoxemia, defined as a drop in oxygen saturation during a walking test. Participants will undergo an incremental exercise test to assess the effects of oxygen therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with chronic lung diseases who experience a drop in oxygen saturation during exercise but have stable conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with severe resting hypoxemia or unstable conditions requiring intensive care will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the management of exercise-induced hypoxemia in patients with chronic lung diseases.

How similar studies have performed: While the effects of oxygen therapy during exercise have been explored, this specific approach is novel and not extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* We will include male and female lung disease patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation: aged ≥ 18 years; stable condition \> 3 weeks (e.g. no exacerbations); resting oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥ 88% and exercise induced hypoxemia defined by a fall in SpO2 by ≥ 4% during a 6-minute walking test (6MWT); informed consent as documented by signature.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe daytime resting hypoxemia (SpO2 \< 88% or partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) \< 8 kPa); unstable condition requiring adaptation of pharmacologic and other treatment modalities or requirement of intensive care or relevant severe concomitant disease; inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, neurological or orthopedic problems with walking disability or inability to ride a bicycle; women who are pregnant or breast feeding; enrolment in another clinical trial with active treatment.

Where this trial is running

Winterthur, Zürich

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 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseAsthmaPulmonary HypertensionInterstitial Lung DiseaseChronic Lung Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.