RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Non-medical devices for chronic breathlessness: use, barriers and facilitators for patients, carers and clinicians - a scoping review JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care JO BMJ Support Palliat Care FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group SP bmjspcare-2021-002962 DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-002962 A1 Aliya Syahreni Prihartadi A1 Giovanna Impelliziere Licastro A1 Mark Pearson A1 Miriam J Johnson A1 Tim Luckett A1 Flavia Swan YR 2021 UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2021/07/01/bmjspcare-2021-002962.abstract AB Background Non-medical devices such as the handheld fan (fan), mobility aids (wheeled walkers with seats) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) devices offer benefits for patient management of chronic breathlessness. We examined the published evidence regarding patient, carer and clinician use of the fan, mobility aids and IMT devices for chronic breathlessness management, and the potential barriers and facilitators to day-to-day use in a range of settings.Methods MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, EBSCO and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Papers were imported into EndNote and Rayyan for review against a priori eligibility criteria. Outcome data relevant to use were extracted and categorised as potential barriers and facilitators, and a narrative synthesis exploring reasons for similarities and differences conducted.Results Seven studies met the inclusion criteria (n=5 fan, n=2 mobility aids and n=0 IMT devices). All of the studies presented patient use of non-medical devices only. Patients found the fan easy to use at home. Mobility aids were used mainly for outdoor activities. Outdoor use for both devices were associated with embarrassment. Key barriers included: appearance; credibility; self-stigma; technical specifications. Common facilitators were ease of use, clinical benefit and feeling safe with the device.Conclusion The efforts of patients, carers and clinicians to adopt and use non-medical devices for the management of chronic breathlessness is impeded by lack of implementation research. Future research should improve knowledge of the barriers and facilitators to use. This would enhance understanding of how decision-making in patient–carer–clinician triads impacts on non-medical devices use for breathlessness management.