How different helmet fixing options could affect patients' pain experience during helmet-continuous positive airway pressure

Background: Prolonged application time of helmet continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) leads to better outcomes, but its timing can be influenced by the patient's tolerance. Aims and objectives: To investigate patients' pain and tolerance experience related to different options of helmet fixing system: ‘armpits strap’ versus ‘counterweights system’. Design: This was a non–randomized crossover study performed in a 10-bed intensive care unit and referral extra corporeal membrane oxigenation (ECMO) centre of an Italian university hospital. Results: Twenty patients were enrolled. For helmet-CPAP cycles performed with the armpit straps option, the mean pain numerical rate on a 0–10 scale was: 0·5 ± 1·4 at T0 (baseline), 1·5 ± 2·0 at T1 (after 1 h) and 2·6 ± 2·5 at T2 (end of cycle) (p = 0·023). The same analysis was performed for the counterweights fixing option. The mean score was 0·3 ± 0·6 at T0, 0·3 ± 0·2 at T1 and 0·5 ± 0·7 at T2 (p = 0·069). The mean duration for CPAP cycles performed with armpits strap and counterweights system was 3·0 ± 1·0 and 3·9 ± 2·3 h, respectively (p < 0·001). The mean section of the Basilic vein that was investigated before wearing the helmet was equal to 0·23 ± 0·20 cm2. After 1 h of therapy with the counterweight option and armpit straps, the mean increase of the vein's section was 0·27 ± 0·21(p = 0·099) and 0·30 ± 0·25, respectively (p = 0·080). Conclusions: The fixing system options in use to anchor the helmet during CPAP could worsen the pain experience level and cause device-related pressure ulcers. When compared with the armpit straps option, the counterweights system appears to be a suitable approach to minimize the risks of pressure sores and pain during the treatment. Relevance to practice: The helmet CPAP is a reliable therapy to manage acute respiratory failure. Major improvements regarding pulmonary alveolar recruitment and oxygen levels are strictly related to a prolonged time of helmet CPAP cycles. Using a counterweight fixing system, where the armpits straps are not necessary, could be helpful in reducing patients' pain experience.