Exercise training with cool air therapy for heart and lung conditions

Move With Air: Can a Fan Maximize the Benefits of a Supervised Exercise-training Program in Adults With Cardiopulmonary Disease?

Not applicable Interventional McGill University · NCT05646407

This study is testing if using cool air on the face during exercise can help adults with heart and lung conditions exercise better and feel less short of breath.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment32 (estimated)
Ages40 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMcGill University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Montreal, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT05646407 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of fan-to-face therapy, which delivers a stream of cool air to the face, as a non-drug treatment to help adults with chronic lung and heart diseases exercise more effectively. Participants will undergo a series of assessments and a 5-week supervised exercise program, where they will be randomly assigned to either receive the cool air therapy or not during their workouts. The goal is to determine if this therapy can improve exercise endurance and reduce feelings of breathlessness during physical activity. The study will involve multiple visits for screening, testing, and exercise sessions to evaluate the impact of the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, or heart failure who meet specific health criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with recent changes in medication, recent hospitalizations, or significant contraindications to exercise may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance exercise capacity and quality of life for patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific use of fan-to-face therapy is novel, similar non-pharmacological interventions have shown promise in enhancing exercise tolerance in patients with respiratory conditions.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* have a physician diagnosis of cardiopulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, heart failure)
* have a body mass index of \>18.5 kg/m2 and \<35 kg/m2
* be cleared to participate in a supervised exercise training program by their primary care physician

Exclusion Criteria:

* have changed their respiratory or cardiac medication dosage and/or frequency of administration in preceding two weeks
* have had a disease exacerbation/hospitalization in preceding six weeks
* have 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).

Where this trial is running

Montreal, Quebec

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 DiseaseInterstitial Lung DiseaseHeart FailureBreathlessnessDyspneaExerciseFan-to-face therapyCool air
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.