A new strategy for breathlessness relief and inspiratory muscle training by augmented perception of inspiratory flow in patients with interstitial pneumonia

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K11206
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo International University
• Principal Investigator: Kanezaki Masashi 東京国際大学, 医療健康学部, 准教授 (10707871)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: L-メントール / 呼吸困難 / 息切れ / 間質性肺疾患

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the effects of olfactory stimulation by l-menthol (OSM) on the quality and intensity of dyspnea and inspiratory neural drive (NRD) in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). 43 patients with ILD ultimately participated in this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in which OSM was administered using a patch of L-menthol odor, while placebo was administered using olfactory stimulation with a strawberry-scented patch (placebo OSP). Dyspnea was induced by breathing through an inspiratory resistance. Compared to sham and OSP, OSM did not alter respiratory pattern/timing and NRD during inspiratory resistance loading, but significantly alleviated air hunger, respiratory discomfort, and inspiratory flow perception during loaded breathing. OSM significantly reduced mental and respiratory effort sensations compared to placebo. The results of this study suggest that OSM activated inspiratory flow sensation and reduced dyspnea in patients with ILD

Free Research Field

呼吸リハビリテーション

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

L-menthol嗅覚刺激による呼吸困難緩和効果が間質性肺疾患でも認められたことは、間質性肺疾患の呼吸困難緩和方法の一つとして確立される可能性が高く、より臨床に実装化しやすい様式での検討が望まれる。