A randomized trial on the effect of supplemental oxygen during cycle endurance test in patients with COPD

Background Current guidelines recommend supplemental oxygen therapy (SOT) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with severe chronic hypoxemia at rest. However, guidance on the use of SOT in patients with exercise-induced desaturation remains to be investigated. Methods This randomized controlled double blinded crossover study evaluated the effect of SOT on exercise endurance in COPD patients with exercise-induced desaturation (≥4% fall in SpO₂ during a 6-minute walk test) and that are normoxic (≥88%) at rest. Participants received in random order SOT or room air (5 L/min via nasal cannula) du…