NCT03542318

Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Functional and Health Status Measures in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Effects of a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme on Functional and Health Status Measures in Patients With Pulmonary Fibrosis

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 120 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Malta · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The inclusion of Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) as part of the management of pulmonary fibrosis although being highly recommended and recommended in guidelines still sees studies exploring the outcomes from such an intervention limited. The present study aims to contribute to the available literature by investigating the effects of a high intensity, 12week PR programme on functional and quality of life measures in patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis.

Detailed description

The inclusion of Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) as part of the management of pulmonary fibrosis although being highly recommended and recommended in guidelines still sees studies exploring the outcomes from such an intervention limited. The present study aims to contribute to the available literature by investigating the effects of a high intensity, 12week PR programme on functional and quality of life measures in patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. This study reports outcomes of an observational, quasi experimental type of study. A total of 120 participants were recruited: 60 patients formed part of the active group, another 60 patients were enrolled in an inactive group. Each participant was classified according to the modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale and placed in one of 5 categories (0 to 4) according to self-perceived breathlessness during daily activities. The following outcomes were measured: Lung function tests including plethysmography and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), functional tests (6-minute walking test, Dyspnoea Borg Scale) and Health status measures (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire and HAD score).

Conditions

• Pulmonary Fibrosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Pulmonary Rehabilitation	A multidisciplinary PR programme was delivered twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each class was of 2 hours in duration. The first hour had an exercise component. Inspiratory muscle training was carried out using the Respironics IMT Threshold trainer® during the class. Educational sessions covered various aspects of pulmonary fibrosis care and self-management delivered. Patients also received an individualized home exercise programme consisting of exercise similar to what was being carried out during the classes. Each participant was encouraged to perform at least 20 minutes of these exercises per day.

Timeline

• Start date: 2014-03-01
• Primary completion: 2016-01-31
• Completion: 2016-01-31
• First posted: 2018-05-31
• Last updated: 2018-06-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Malta