• Ke-Yun Chao, Wei-Lun Liu, Yasser Nassef, Chi-Wei Tseng, and Jong-Shyan Wang.
• Department of Respiratory Therapy, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Dec 23; 100 (51): e28032e28032.

IntroductionStudies have demonstrated that noninvasive ventilation improves exercise intolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The role of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy in patients with COPD on self-paced exercise performance remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine whether HFNC-aided supplemental oxygen during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) would change self-paced exercise performance and cardiopulmonary outcomes in patients with stable COPD.MethodsA single-site, cross-over trial was conducted in a pulmonary rehabilitation outpatient department. This study enrolled 30 stable COPD patients without disability. The participants with and without HFNC performed 6MWTs on 2 consecutive days. Outcomes were the distance walked in the 6MWT, physiological, and cardiopulmonary parameters.ResultsThose performing HFNC-aided walking exhibited a longer walking distance than those performing unaided walking. The mean difference in meters walked between the HFNC-aided and unaided walking scenarios was 27.3 ± 35.6 m (95% CI: 14.4-40.5 m). The energy expenditure index was significantly lower when walking was aided by HHHNFC rather than unaided (median: 1.21 beats/m walked vs median: 1.37 beats/m walked, P < .001). However, there were no differences in transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension between HHHNFC and non-HHHNFC patients.ConclusionWalking distance and arterial oxygen saturation improved in stable COPD patients receiving HFNC with additional oxygen support. However, HFNC did not affect transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension and the self-reported dyspnea score during the walking test. The present study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of using HFNC in self-paced exercise.Trial RegistrationNCT03863821.Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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