Protective Face Masks and Cardiopulmonary Parameters at Rest and During Exercise in Children

Effects of Protective Face Masks on Cardiopulmonary Parameters at Rest and During Exercise in Children

This study will examine the possible effects of protective surgical masks on the cardiorespiratory function of children aged 8-14 years at rest and during exercise.

The study will consist of two phases:

• Phase I: No face mask.

  1. Measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow
  2. CPET with an ergometric bike at 30% of their predicted maximum workload (Wmax) for 4 minutes, 50% of Wmax for 2 minutes and 70% of Wmax for 1 minute, with continuous oxygen saturation (SpΟ2), heart rate (HR), end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and respiratory rate (RR) monitoring.
  3. Spirometry and measurement of nPIF immediately after CPET.
  4. Discomfort assessment using a special scale

• Phase II: Face mask. Following nPIF measurement, participants will be asked to wear a standard surgical face mask. A temperature and humidity sensor will also be placed inside the mask. Will follow:

  1. Resting phase, 6 minutes. SpO2, HR, EtCO2 and RR will be monitored.
  2. CPET at 30% of Wmax for 4 minutes, 50% Wmax for 2 minutes and 70% Wmax for 1 minute. SpO2, HR, EtCO2 and RR will be continuously monitored.
  3. Spirometry and measurement of nPIF immediately after CPET.
  4. Discomfort assessment.

Both phases will be performed on the same day with a recovery phase of 30 minutes between them. Participants will be randomized to begin with Phase I followed by Phase II or Phase II followed by Phase I.

At both phases, SpO2, HR, EtCO2 and RR (10 s average values) will be recorder at each 1 minute during CPET, and at minutes 0, 3 and 6 during the resting phase of Phase II. During Phase II, temperature and humidity will also be recorded at each 1 minute during CPET and at minutes 0, 3 and 6 during the resting phase.

The total duration of the protocol is estimated at 90 minutes per participant. The study sample will consist of 40 children stratified by age.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Exercise; Face-masks
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Spirometry - baseline; Diagnostic test: Spirometry - post CPET; Diagnostic test: Nasal peak inspiratory flow - baseline; Diagnostic test: Nasal peak inspiratory flow - post CPET; Diagnostic test: Oxygen saturation; Diagnostic test: Heart Rate; Diagnostic test: End-tidal CO2; Diagnostic test: Respiratory rate; Diagnostic test: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing; Diagnostic test: Discomfort level; Diagnostic test: Temperature; Diagnostic test: Humidity

Detailed Description

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible effects of protective surgical masks on the cardiorespiratory function of children aged 8-14 years at rest and during exercise.

METHODS

A. Population

Children aged 8-14 years (minimum height 135 cm) will be invited to participate. They will be recruited from the outpatient clinics of the Pediatric Allergy and Pediatric Endocrinology Departments of the University Hospital of Patras, Greece. Children should not suffer from conditions that are likely to affect cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) outcomes, such as respiratory (asthma and chronic lung disease), cardiac (congenital heart disease, heart failure), neurologic and musculoskeletal disorders.

The parents of the children will be informed about the aims of the study and they will be asked to give written consent. The study has been approved by the local Research and Ethics Committee (Act no. 407/9.10.2020).

B. Protocol

The study will be performed at the Respiratory Functions and CPET Laboratory of the Pediatric Pulmonary Unit. Children will present to the laboratory with one of their parents.

After history taking and measurement of weight and height, baseline spirometry will follow using a Micro5000 device (Medisoft, Sorinnes, Belgium) to determine FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75 and PEF. The study will consist of two phases:

• Phase I: No face mask. Participants will perform

  1. Measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow (nPIF) using the Micro5000 device and a specially modified nasal mask.

  2. CPET using an ULTIMA CPX device (MGC Diagnostics, Saint Paul, MI, USA) with an ergometric bike (eBike, GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI, USA). Participants will be asked to exercise (steady pedaling at 60 rpm) at 30% of their predicted maximum workload (Wmax) for 4 minutes, at 50% of Wmax for 2 minutes and at 70% of Wmax for 1 minute. Wmax will be calculated as 3 Watts/kg.

     During CPET, oxygen saturation (SpΟ2) and heart rate (HR) will be continuously monitored using a Nonin 7500 pulse oximeter with a special ear sensor (Nonin Medical Inc, Plymouth, MN, USA). End-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and respiratory rate (RR) will also be monitored using a Microstream device with special sampling (nasal) lines (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA).

  3. Spirometry and measurement of nPIF immediately after CPET.
  4. Discomfort assessment using a special scale graded from 1 to 10.

• Phase II: Face mask. Following nPIF measurement, participants will be asked to wear a standard surgical face mask. A temperature and humidity sensor (RHT03, MaxDetect Technologies, Shenzhen, China) will also be placed inside the mask on the right cheek, at nose level. Subsequently will follow:

  1. Resting phase, with the participants on the ergometric bike without pedaling and breathing normally for 6 minutes. SpO2, HR, EtCO2 and RR will be monitored during the resting phase.
  2. CPET at 30% of Wmax for 4 minutes, 50% of Wmax for 2 minutes and 70% of Wmax for 1 minute. SpO2, HR, EtCO2 and RR will be continuously monitored.
  3. Spirometry and measurement of nPIF immediately after CPET.
  4. Discomfort assessment.

Both phases will be performed on the same day with a recovery phase of 30 minutes between them. Participants will be randomized to begin with Phase I followed by Phase II or Phase II followed by Phase I.

At both phases, SpO2, HR, EtCO2 and RR (10 s average values) will be recorder at each 1 minute during CPET, and at minutes 0, 3 and 6 during the resting phase of Phase II. During Phase II, temperature and humidity will also be recorded at each 1 minute during CPET and at minutes 0, 3 and 6 during the resting phase.

The total duration of the protocol is estimated at 90 minutes per participant. The study sample will consist of 40 children stratified by age.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Sotirios Fouzas, Prof.; Phone Number: +30 6944510047; Email: sfouzas@upatras.gr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Michael Anthracopoulos, Prof.; Phone Number: +30 2610 999716; Email: manthra@otenet.gr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 8 years to 14 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Children should not suffer from conditions that are likely to affect CPET outcomes, such as respiratory (asthma and chronic lung disease), cardiac (congenital heart disease, heart failure), neurologic and musculoskeletal disorders.
2. Height >135 cm
3. Parental written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Points #1 or #2 not fulfilled
2. Child not willing to participate (e.g. not willing to wear the sensors)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Phase I: No mask; Participants, without wearing a face mask, will undergo the following: Measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow; Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) with an ergometric bike at 30% of their predicted maximum workload (Wmax) for 4 minutes, 50% of Wmax for 2 minutes and 70% of Wmax for 1 minute, with continuous oxygen saturation (SpΟ2), heart rate (HR), end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and respiratory rate (RR) monitoring.; Spirometry and measurement of nPIF immediately after CPET.; Discomfort assessment using a special scale	Diagnostic test: Spirometry - baseline; Standard spirometry using a Micro5000 spirometer to determine baseline FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75 and PEF. Baseline spirometry will be performed before CPET in both study arms; Diagnostic test: Spirometry - post CPET; Standard spirometry using a Micro5000 spirometer to determine baseline % change in FEV1 after CPET and assess exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (defined as FEV1 decrease >10% at 5 minutes after CPET) Post spirometry will be performed after CPET in both study arms; Diagnostic test: Nasal peak inspiratory flow - baseline; Measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow (nPIF) using a Micro5000 spirometer and a specially modified nasal mask. nPIF will be measured before CPET in both study arms; Diagnostic test: Nasal peak inspiratory flow - post CPET; Measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow (nPIF) using a Micro5000 spirometer and a specially modified nasal mask. nPIF will be measured after CPET in both study arms; Diagnostic test: Oxygen saturation; Continuous monitoring of SpO2 using a Nonin 7500 pulse oximeter, in both study arms; Other Names: SpO2; Diagnostic test: Heart Rate; Continuous monitoring of HR using a Nonin 7500 pulse oximeter, in both study arms; Other Names: HR; Diagnostic test: End-tidal CO2; Continuous monitoring of EtCO2 using a Microstream capnograph, in both study arms; Other Names: EtCO2; Diagnostic test: Respiratory rate; Continuous monitoring of RR using a Microstream capnograph, in both study arms; Other Names: RR; Diagnostic test: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing; CPET using an ULTIMA CPX device (MGC Diagnostics, Saint Paul, MI, USA) with an ergometric bike (eBike, GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI, USA). Participants will be asked to exercise (steady pedaling at 60 rpm) at 30% of their predicted maximum workload (Wmax) for 4 minutes, at 50% of Wmax for 2 minutes and at 70% of Wmax for 1 minute. Wmax will be calculated as 3 Watts/kg. CPET will be performed in both study arms; Other Names: CPET; Diagnostic test: Discomfort level; Discomfort assessment using a special scale graded from 1 to 10 (Fikenzer, 2020). Both study arms, after CPET.
Experimental: Phase II: Face mask; Following nPIF measurement, participants will be asked to wear a standard surgical face mask. A temperature and humidity sensor will also be placed inside the mask. Will follow: Resting phase, 6 minutes. SpO2, HR, EtCO2 and RR will be monitored.; CPET at 30% of Wmax for 4 minutes, 50% Wmax for 2 minutes and 70% Wmax for 1 minute. SpO2, HR, EtCO2 and RR will be continuously monitored.; Spirometry and measurement of nPIF immediately after CPET.; Discomfort assessment.	Diagnostic test: Spirometry - post CPET; Standard spirometry using a Micro5000 spirometer to determine baseline % change in FEV1 after CPET and assess exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (defined as FEV1 decrease >10% at 5 minutes after CPET) Post spirometry will be performed after CPET in both study arms; Diagnostic test: Nasal peak inspiratory flow - baseline; Measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow (nPIF) using a Micro5000 spirometer and a specially modified nasal mask. nPIF will be measured before CPET in both study arms; Diagnostic test: Nasal peak inspiratory flow - post CPET; Measurement of peak nasal inspiratory flow (nPIF) using a Micro5000 spirometer and a specially modified nasal mask. nPIF will be measured after CPET in both study arms; Diagnostic test: Oxygen saturation; Continuous monitoring of SpO2 using a Nonin 7500 pulse oximeter, in both study arms; Other Names: SpO2; Diagnostic test: Heart Rate; Continuous monitoring of HR using a Nonin 7500 pulse oximeter, in both study arms; Other Names: HR; Diagnostic test: End-tidal CO2; Continuous monitoring of EtCO2 using a Microstream capnograph, in both study arms; Other Names: EtCO2; Diagnostic test: Respiratory rate; Continuous monitoring of RR using a Microstream capnograph, in both study arms; Other Names: RR; Diagnostic test: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing; CPET using an ULTIMA CPX device (MGC Diagnostics, Saint Paul, MI, USA) with an ergometric bike (eBike, GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI, USA). Participants will be asked to exercise (steady pedaling at 60 rpm) at 30% of their predicted maximum workload (Wmax) for 4 minutes, at 50% of Wmax for 2 minutes and at 70% of Wmax for 1 minute. Wmax will be calculated as 3 Watts/kg. CPET will be performed in both study arms; Other Names: CPET; Diagnostic test: Discomfort level; Discomfort assessment using a special scale graded from 1 to 10 (Fikenzer, 2020). Both study arms, after CPET.; Diagnostic test: Temperature; Continuous monitoring of Temp in the face mask using a RHT03 sensor, only in the experimental study arm; Other Names: Temp; Diagnostic test: Humidity; Continuous monitoring of Hum in the face mask using a RHT03 sensor, only in the experimental study arm; Other Names: Hum

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
SpO2	Oxygen saturation	Minute 1
SpO2	Oxygen saturation	Minute 2
SpO2	Oxygen saturation	Minute 3
SpO2	Oxygen saturation	Minute 4
SpO2	Oxygen saturation	Minute 5
SpO2	Oxygen saturation	Minute 6
SpO2	Oxygen saturation	Minute 7
HR	Heart rate	Minute 1
HR	Heart rate	Minute 2
HR	Heart rate	Minute 3
HR	Heart rate	Minute 4
HR	Heart rate	Minute 5
HR	Heart rate	Minute 6
HR	Heart rate	Minute 7
EtCO2	End-tidal CO2	Minute 1
EtCO2	End-tidal CO2	Minute 2
EtCO2	End-tidal CO2	Minute 3
EtCO2	End-tidal CO2	Minute 4
EtCO2	End-tidal CO2	Minute 5
EtCO2	End-tidal CO2	Minute 6
EtCO2	End-tidal CO2	Minute 7
RR	Respiratory rate	Minute 1
RR	Respiratory rate	Minute 2
RR	Respiratory rate	Minute 3
RR	Respiratory rate	Minute 4
RR	Respiratory rate	Minute 5
RR	Respiratory rate	Minute 6
RR	Respiratory rate	Minute 7
Temperature	Air temperature (in degrees Celsius) within the face mask	Minute 1
Temperature	Air temperature (in degrees Celsius) within the face mask	Minute 2
Temperature	Air temperature (in degrees Celsius) within the face mask	Minute 3
Temperature	Air temperature (in degrees Celsius) within the face mask	Minutε 4
Temperature	Air temperature (in degrees Celsius) within the face mask	Minute 5
Temperature	Air temperature (in degrees Celsius) within the face mask	Minute 6
Temperature	Air temperature (in degrees Celsius) within the face mask	Minute 7
Humidity	Relative air humidity (%) within the face mask	Minute 1
Humidity	Relative air humidity (%) within the face mask	Minute 2
Humidity	Relative air humidity (%) within the face mask	Minute 3
Humidity	Relative air humidity (%) within the face mask	Minute 4
Humidity	Relative air humidity (%) within the face mask	Minute 5
Humidity	Relative air humidity (%) within the face mask	Minute 6
Humidity	Relative air humidity (%) within the face mask	Minute 7
Discomfort level	Level of discomfort (specific questionnaire (5 items), scale 1 to 10) after CPET	Minute 7
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction	% change in FEV1 value before-after CPET	Minute 7
% change in nPIF	% change in nPIF value before-after CPET	Minute 7

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Patras
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sotirios Fouzas, Prof., Pediatric Respiratory Unit, University Hospital of Patras, Greece; Study Chair: Michael Anthracopoulos, Prof., Pediatric Respiratory Unit, University Hospital of Patras, Greece

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): January 20, 2022
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): February 20, 2022
• Study Completion (Anticipated): March 20, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 1, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): January 14, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 14, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 1, 2022
• Last Verified: January 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: exercise; children; face-masks
• Other Study ID Numbers: 10092020

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No