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Helium-Hyperoxia and 6MWT Distance in COPD

The Effects of Helium-Hyperoxia on 6-Minute Walking Distance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00394225
Enrollment
16
Registered
2006-10-31
Start date
2005-07-31
Completion date
2006-05-31
Last updated
2006-10-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Keywords

6-Minute Walk Test, COPD, Helium-Hyperoxia, Exercise, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Brief summary

We assessed the effect of altering inspired gas on the 6MWT distance in COPD. We hypothesized that HeO2 would improve walking distance and reduce shortness of breath compared to both RA and O2, and potentially improve quality of life for COPD patients.

Detailed description

We hypothesized that inspiring helium-hyperoxia (HeO2) would significantly improve 6-minute walking test (6MWT) distance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) subjects. This was a blinded, randomized crossover study. At Visit 1 we assessed pulmonary function, exercise capacity and 6MWT distance. Visits 2 and 3 consisted of four 6MWT with different inspired gases: room air by mask (RA), 100% O2 by mask (Mask O2), 100% O2 by nasal prongs (Nasal O2), and 70% He/30% O2 by mask (HeO2). Walking distance, shortness of breath, leg fatigue, O2 saturation and heart rate (HR) were assessed

Interventions

DRUGOxygen
DRUGHelium

Sponsors

Nova Scotia Health Authority
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Saskatchewan
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Exertional dyspnea * Activity limitation * COPD

Exclusion criteria

* Recent exacerbation (\< 4 wks) * Supplemental O2 * Significant cardiovascular/musculoskeletal abnormalities

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
6 minute walking distance

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
shortness of breath
leg fatigue
arterial oxygen saturation

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026