Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic and high fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air, wearing a mask was recommended. However, the impact of wearing different masks on respiratory symptoms, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and functional capacity when performing a submaximal functional activity (6MWT) has not been explored.
Aim: To compare the impact of different masks wearing during 6MWT on respiratory symptoms, SpO2, and functional capacity.
Methods: 30 healthy subjects (10 men; age 22±1; FEV1/FVC 0.90±0.01) performed 4 rounds of 6MWT on 4 consecutive days, wearing different masks [surgical (Medima SK, Thailand); cloth (DIY); N95 (3M AuraTM1870+, USA)] and no mask. Dyspnea, breathing effort, and SpO2 were recorded. Differences were compared using ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis.
Results: At min6 (Table 1), none of the assessed parameters showed a significant difference between groups except breathing effort (p=0.002). Post hoc test showed that wearing cloth mask and N95 mask significantly increased breathing effort (p=0.001 and p=0.012) compared to no mask. Wearing a cloth mask also significantly increases breathing effort compared to a surgical mask (p=0.012).
Conclusion: Wearing different masks performing submaximal functional tasks results in no difference in dyspnea, SpO2, and functional performance, however, some masks result in more breathing effort.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, OA1183.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021