Asymmetric High-Flow Nasal Cannula During Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD (NCT07497230) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Asymmetric High-Flow Nasal Cannula During Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD
Chile30 participantsStarted 2025-05-02
Plain-language summary
This randomized pilot trial evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effects of using asymmetric high-flow nasal cannula (A-HFNC) during exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thirty patients were randomly assigned to conventional PR or PR supplemented with A-HFNC during aerobic training, completing 12 supervised sessions. The study assessed whether A-HFNC could be safely and acceptably incorporated into PR, and whether it enabled higher training intensity and improved exercise performance. Results showed that the intervention was feasible and safe, with 83% adherence in both groups and no adverse events. Patients in the A-HFNC group trained at significantly higher treadmill inclination and showed a clinically meaningful trend toward greater improvement in maximal exercise tolerance. These findings support the design of a larger definitive trial.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 40 years or older
* Spirometry-confirmed COPD diagnosis (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio less than 0.70)
* Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea grade 2 or higher
* Spirometry performed within the preceding 12 months
Exclusion Criteria:
* Acute respiratory exacerbation within the preceding three months
* Uncontrolled respiratory symptoms or any acute condition compromising clinical stability
* Current use of home non-invasive mechanical ventilation or artificial airway
* Hospitalization within the preceding three months
* Neuromuscular or osteoarticular conditions limiting physical activity
* Cognitive or communication difficulties precluding adherence to instructions
* Recent acute cardiovascular events
* Decompensated comorbidities
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Incremental Load Test Duration
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention (week 6)