Can a scented fan ease breathlessness at the end of life?

NCT ID NCT05625854

Terminated Symptom relief Sponsor: Tsai-Wei Huang Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether blowing a fan with aromatherapy on the face can help reduce breathlessness in people with terminal illness. The trial planned to enroll 26 adults who were near the end of life and had trouble breathing. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a fan to the face with aromatherapy, a fan to the face alone, or a fan to the feet. The study was terminated early, so the full results are not available.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: aromatherapy (essential oils) delivered via fan
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to help terminally ill patients feel less breathless.
What could go wrong: The trial was terminated early and had only 26 participants, so results are limited. The effect may be small or due to the fan alone, not the aromatherapy.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Dyspnea Fanconi anemia, complementation group S

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AROMATHERAPY BREATHLESSNESS FANS TERMINAL ILLNESS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Taipei Medical University

Taipei, Taipei, 110, Taiwan

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