Effect of fan for dyspnea in terminally ill cancer patients：Case series study
10.2512/jspm.10.147
- VernacularTitle:終末期がん患者の呼吸困難に対する送風の有効性についてのケースシリーズ研究
- Author:
Jun Kako
;
Asuko Sekimoto
;
Asao Ogawa
;
Mitsunori Miyashita
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
terminally ill cancer patients;
dyspnea;
fan;
case series
- From:Palliative Care Research
2015;10(1):147-152
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
The effects of a fan to reduce dyspnea have been evaluated in several trials worldwide, however, there has been no clinical report in terminal cancer patients in Japan. We conducted a retrospective chart review to examine whether a fan is useful for dyspnea in terminally ill cancer patients. We reviewed medical and nursing records and selected all patients（n＝9）who received a fan from July 2013 and January 2014. The primary outcome measure was a decrease dyspnea measured by a visual analogue scale（VAS；0＝no shortness of breath, 100＝worst shortness of breath）. There was a significant difference in the VAS score after treatment with the fan（40.2±11.8 versus 15.6±14.9, P＝0.004）. Our results suggest that a fan may help in reduces the sensation of dyspnea in patients with terminal cancer. Future prospective study is needed.
