The effect of handheld fans on dyspnea, illness perception, anxiety, and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Dyspnea, negative illness perceptions, anxiety, and depression are common problems that substantially impair quality of life in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of handheld fan use on dyspnea, illness perception, anxiety, and depression in patients with COPD.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Chest diseases clinic and polyclinic of a state hospital in eastern Türkiye.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with GOLD stage III-IV COPD.

METHOD: The handheld fan group received daily facial fan application for 15 min over six weeks, while the control group continued standard treatment and care. Participants were allocated using block randomization. Data were collected at baseline and at week 6 using the Patient Diagnosis Form, Visual Analog Scale, Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Researchers and the statistician were blinded. Paired and independent samples t-tests were used for within- and between-group comparisons.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine participants were included in the final analysis (handheld fan group, n = 30; control group, n = 29). Baseline scores on all outcome measures were comparable between groups. Within-group analyses revealed significant reductions in dyspnea, anxiety, and depression in the handheld fan group, whereas no meaningful changes were observed in the control group. At the 6-week follow-up, between-group comparisons showed significantly lower dyspnea, anxiety, and depression scores in the handheld fan group. Significant differences were also observed in several Illness Perception Questionnaire subscales, including timeline (cyclical), personal control, treatment control, emotional representations, and psychological attributions.

CONCLUSIONS

Handheld fan use significantly improved dyspnea, illness perception, anxiety, and depression in patients with stage III-IV COPD. This simple, low-cost intervention represents a practical adjunct to standard care and may enhance both physical and psychosocial outcomes in this population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06857422). Registered 27 February 2025; first participant enrolled 28 February 2025.