Evaluation of a new face mask concept for oxygen administration: a crossover study in healthy volunteers.

We developed a new face mask concept for oxygen administration using non-woven textiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the new mask improves acceptability without compromising O2 delivery and CO2 elimination. 10 healthy adult volunteers were randomized to either the conventional plastic face mask-first group or the new face mask-first group. Participants were asked to wear the assigned mask with O2 at 3 L/min for 10 min while seated. End tidal O2 concentration (et-O2) and end tidal CO2 concentration (et-CO2) were measured via a sampling tube located at the mouth. After a 10-min rest period, the other mask was tested in the same manner. Mask discomfort was evaluated using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) where 0, comfortable and 100, uncomfortable. The results showed that use of the new mask caused less discomfort than the conventional mask (new, 11; conventional, 33) (P = 0.002). Median et-O2 with the new mask was 33%, compared with 30% with the conventional mask (P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in et-CO2 by mask type (new, 32 mmHg; conventional, 30 mmHg). In conclusion, the new mask was more comfortable and provided higher et-O2 than the conventional mask.