NCT06756230

Downhill Walking in IPF

Effects of Downhill Walking in Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 34 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

In this study; will examine the effects of downhill walking (eccentric exercise training) on exercise capacity, quality of life, and blood lactate levels in individuals with IPF. After the initial assessment, patients will be randomized into two groups: downhill walking PR group and Standard PR Group.

Detailed description

Individuals diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who come to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of Istanbul Süreyyapaşa Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Education and Research Hospital will be included in this study. Those who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into two groups: Downhill Walking Pr Group (n=17) and Standard Pr Group (n=17). Patients will have exercise sessions twice a week for 8 weeks. Patients will be evaluated immediately before the rehabilitation program and the end of 8 weeks exercise programme. In our study, downhill walking training will differ from traditional walking training only in terms of treadmill training protocol. Traditional walking training involves walking on a motorized treadmill with a neutral incline, progressing with increases in speed, while downhill walking training will be performed at a constant -10% incline.

Conditions

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Pulmonary Rehabilitation	8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, Aerobic training will be provided as treadmill walking. It will be performed either downhill or on a flat treadmill, depending on the group. Warm-up and stretching exercises Resistance exercises will be performed with a load equivalent to 50% of 1 maximum repetition. 10 repetitions will be performed in sets, one set in each session. Based on the differences in the general condition of the patients, different workloads and modifications will be used when creating an exercise program for each patient. Resistance exercises will focus on both upper and lower extremity muscles.
OTHER	Downhill Walking	Treadmill exercise will be applied for 30 minutes in the target heart rate range of 60-80% intensity. The target heart rate method will be used to determine the exercise intensity. Blood pressure, heart rate and Borg Perceived Exertion Scale scores will be monitored during the exercises. Downhill walking training will continue with a constant -10% incline.
OTHER	Treadmill Walking without incline	Treadmill exercise will be applied for 30 minutes in the target heart rate range of 60-80% intensity. The target heart rate method will be used to determine the exercise intensity. Blood pressure, heart rate and Borg Perceived Exertion Scale scores will be monitored during the exercises. Traditional walking training will initially involve walking with a neutral incline.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-13
• Primary completion: 2027-02-28
• Completion: 2027-02-28
• First posted: 2025-01-01
• Last updated: 2025-05-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)