Extra oxygen during a 6-minute walk in chronic lung disease with low oxygen
Tests added oxygen during walking in people with COPD or interstitial lung disease.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effects of Oxygen Supplementation During the 6-Minute Walk Test in Chronic Respiratory Failure or Exertional Hypoxemia
Key facts
- Where
- Bari, Lumezzane, Montescano, Pavia, Taranto, and Veruno, ItalySee the 6 sites
Where in Italy
- ICS Maugeri IRCCS, respiratory rehabilitation of the Institute of BariBari, ItalyTaking people
- ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Respiratory Rehabilitation of the Institute of LumezzaneLumezzane, ItalyTaking people
- ICS Maugeri IRCCS, respiratory rehabilitation of the Institute of MontescanoMontescano, ItalyTaking people
- ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Respiratory rehabilitation of the Institute of PaviaPavia, ItalyTaking people
- Istituti Clinici Maugeri , Respiratory rehabilitation of the Institute of Marina di GinosaTaranto, ItalyNot yet recruiting
- ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Respiratory rehabilitation of the Institute of VerunoVeruno, ItalyNot yet recruiting
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA
- Trial code
- NCT07451977
- Record updated
- 23 June 2026
- Original description
The aim of this multicenter crossover trial is to describe the effect of adding a therapeutic dose of exertional oxygen therapy, in terms of exercise performance, gas exchange, heart rate, symptoms perception and subjective easiness of performance, in a cohort of subjects hospitalized in specialized pulmonary rehabilitation centers with a diagnosis of chronic respiratory failure and/or exertional hypoxemia due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or interstitial lung disease.Read full original descriptionShow less
Evaluation of the Effects of the Oxygen Supplementation During 6-minute Walking Test in Patients With Chronic Respiratory Failure or Exertional Hypoxiemia
The aim of this multicenter crossover trial is to describe the effect of adding a therapeutic dose of exertional oxygen therapy, in terms of exercise performance, gas exchange, heart rate, symptoms perception and subjective easiness of performance, in a cohort of subjects hospitalized in specialized pulmonary rehabilitation centers with a diagnosis of chronic respiratory failure and/or exertional hypoxemia due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or interstitial lung disease.
Researchers will compare the walking performance during 6-minute walk test performed with the liters of oxygen administered as prescribed at rest (for patients with chronic respiratory failure) or in room air (for patients with exertional hypoxemia only), to the performance during a 6-minute walk test performed with the double the flow rate prescribed at rest, or with 2 L/min for patients with exertional hypoxemia only. The two tests will be performed in random order, at least 3 hours apart and no later than 24 hours apart from each other.
The main outcome will be the difference between the distance walked in the two 6-minute walk test in the two conditions. Furthermore, will be also collected and compared: the oxygen saturation and heart rate every minute, the initial and final dyspnea and fatigue, as assessed by Borg scale, and the easiness of performance through a dedicated questionnaire. The estimated sample size will be 114 patients.
This study will provide some basis for a more accurate prescription of exercise-related oxygen therapy, offering insights into the phenotype of patients who may derive the greatest benefit from this intervention. It will also stimulate discussion regarding the optimal timing and dosing of oxygen administration during exertion in patients with respiratory failure.
Inclusion: Adults aged 18 years or older; Diagnosis of chronic respiratory disease admitted for pulmonary rehabilitation; One of the following conditions at discharge:; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with exertional hypoxemia; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with chronic respiratory failure requiring long-term oxygen therapy; Interstitial lung disease with chronic respiratory failure requiring long-term oxygen therapy; Clinically stable condition for at least one month; Optimized medical therapy during hospitalization; Ability to perform the 6-minute walk test; Signed informed consent.
Exclusion: Recent cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events within the previous 3 months; Lung diseases other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or interstitial lung disease; Orthopedic, neurological, or cognitive conditions that may limit walking performance; Resting oxygen flow requirement greater than 4 liters per minute.