Acute effects of fan therapy on exercise-induced breathlessness in healthy adults and people living with chronic respiratory disease: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Exercise-induced breathlessness is a common complaint in the general population and a highly prevalent symptom in adults living with chronic diseases, often acting as an important barrier to engaging in physical activity. Fan therapy can reduce breathlessness at rest, yet its acute effects during exercise have not been systematically explored.

Methods: A literature search encompassing three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase) from inception to January 2025 was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials comparing fan therapy during and after an acute exercise bout to a control condition, on dyspnea and exercise capacity. Relevant conference abstracts were considered. Risk of bias was assessed via the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The PRISMA guidelines were followed.

Results: A total of six studies, including one conference abstract, met eligibility criteria. Five records involved 79 adults with chronic respiratory disease, all presenting a respiratory disease, and the remaining record included 10 healthy individuals. The results were generally consistent, showing that fan therapy significantly reduces exercise-induced breathlessness (n = 2 studies), decreases breathlessness during recovery (n = 5), and enhances exercise capacity (n = 2). The methodological quality was good for half or retrieved studies and poor-to-fair in the other half.

Conclusion: Fan therapy might relieve dyspnea and improve exercise capacity during and after an acute bout of exercise in patients with chronic respiratory disease. Future high-quality research should confirm these findings and consider assessing fan therapy effects in other populations. PROSPERO number: CRD42023475117.

Keywords: Breathlessness; Dyspnea; Exercise; Fan; Physical activity.