Lung Cancer–Related Dyspnea: The Effects of a Handheld Fan on Management of Symptoms

Background: The application of a handheld fan may reduce patients’ shortness of breath and increase their activity tolerance by enabling cooling and air flow into the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of directing a handheld fan toward the face in the management of lung cancer–related dyspnea.

Methods: Using a randomized controlled experimental design, 96 inpatients with lung cancer were evaluated, with the experimental group (n = 49) using a handheld fan to manage dyspnea for 14 days. Dyspnea, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and quality of life were assessed for both groups.

Findings: A statistically significant difference was found in dyspnea scores between groups on the first, seventh, and fourteenth days of fan application, and statistically significant differences were found between groups in dyspnea scores, respiration rates, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and quality of life on the fourteenth day of application.