Automatic oxygen titration during exercise in pulmonary rehabilitation: a pilot trial

Extract Dyspnoea is the predominant symptom limiting exercise tolerance in people with chronic respiratory disease [4] and is often accompanied by exertional desaturation, with or without chronic hypoxaemia, during pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Supplemental oxygen (O₂) is frequently prescribed to maintain oxygen saturation (SpO₂)≥90% [1, 2]. However, fixed O₂-flow rates cannot adapt to changing O₂-needs during activity, which may still lead to desaturation [3], increased dyspnoea, and early termination of exercise, particularly during endurance training.