Comparison of Stress: Patient Experiences During Application of Oxygen Therapy With Three Types of Interface Devices Using Kit for Measuring Amylase Activity

Abstract

Background:

The cannula and mask have been used as an interface device to deliver oxygen in consideration of applying direct pressure on the face. However, due to its contact site, the interface device may cause the patient to experience stress. The purpose of this study was to compare the salivary amylase activity (SAA) with three types of interface devices in oxygen therapy.

Methods:

We evaluated the Ecolite mask (Intersurgical, Wokingham, UK) and the Satelinn mask (GaleMed, Taipei, TW), and used a conventional nasal cannula (Intersurgical, Wokingham, UK) as the control. The conventional nasal cannula was used as the control due to the fact that it was assumed to have the lowest SAA. The subjects were 7 healthy faculty members of our university. The SAA was measured by a Saliva Amylase Monitor (Nipro Corporation, Osaka, Japan), and a saliva collection sheet and holder both before and after fitting the cannula and masks. A comparison between the SAAs was done using the Mann–Whitney U test with a statistical significance of P < .05. Mean ± SD are displayed in the Table below.

Results:

As thought, the control exhibited the lowest mean values (and SD). In comparison, the Satelinn mask exhibited the highest mean values (and SD), while the mean values (and SD) of the Ecolite mask were similar to those of the control.

Conclusions:

Although the nasal cannula exhibited the lowest mean values (and SD), there are cases where a mask is required. The lower SAA of the Ecolite mask suggests that the Ecolite mask causes less stress than the Satelinn mask. The Ecolite mask is lighter, contains no PVC, has soft face seals, and has a strap that secures below the ears rather than over the ears, thereby providing improved patient comfort. For these reasons, the Ecolite mask is preferred.