The FAFA Trial: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial on the Effect of a Fan Blowing Air on the Face to Relieve Dyspnea in Filipino Patients with Terminal Cancer

Abstract

Introduction Fan therapy has been suggested by some studies as one of the nonpharmacological supportive interventions to alleviate breathlessness for dyspneic patients with terminal cancer. Unfortunately, data among Asians are limited and there are currently no published data showing that this intervention works among Filipinos—thus this study. Study Design This study was an open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover Phase 2 trial. The experimental group had a fan blowing air directly to the patient’s face for 5 minutes, and the control group had a fan blowing air to the patient’s legs. Treatment crossover was done after a washout period of 1 hour. The primary outcome, which is dyspnea, was measured subjectively using the Modified Borg Scale (MBS). Differences in the patient’s respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation were also measured. Results A total of 48 patients were enrolled in this trial. The mean age of the patients enrolled was 51 years, and the most common primary tumor was lung cancer (21%). In the control group, results showed that the mean difference before and after intervention in the MBS was 0.15, and the mean difference in RR was 0.25. On the other hand, the intervention group showed a statistically significant decrease in the patient’s dyspnea as evidenced by a mean MBS decrease of 2.79 (p < 0.0001), and a mean RR decrease of 1.88 (p < 0.0001). Conclusion The results of this study reveal that fan on face (FAFA) therapy in terminally ill Filipino cancer patients in addition to the prescribed standard of care can significantly alleviate their level of dyspnea. Thus, FAFA therapy should be considered as an adjunct to standard of care for these patients.

Keywords

• fan on face therapy
• dyspnea
• terminally ill
• cancer
• filipino