Benefits of a pilot program of supervised exercise training in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Introduction: Benefits of physical training (PT) in chronic lung disease is well known; however there is low evidence in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Objectives: To evaluate the effects on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (hrQoL) of supervised PT (sPT) compared to non-supervised physical exercise (nsPE) and IPF patients who did not participate in this program (obsIPF) at 12 weeks (w) and at 1 year (y).

Material and Methods: 19 voluntary IPF patients followed a pilot program of sPT during 12 w. 6 patients continued voluntarily this program for a y, and 10 patients continued activity without supervision (nsPE). 3 patients were withdrawn. Lung function tests (LFT) and hrQoL were recorded at start, 12 w and 1 y. This group was compared with 14 obsIPF. Linear mixed effects model was used to assess LFT and hrQoL adjusted by IPF severity (36% mild, 35% moderate and 28% severe). Significant differences were considered when p≤0.05.

Results: At 12 w sPT increased a mean of 30 meters (mt) from baseline at 6MW distance (6MWD) and obsIPF decreased a mean of 29 mt. At 1 y obsIPF patients decreased a total of 33 mt at 6MWD, while sPT and nsPE had no changes from baseline (statistically significant). No differences were observed in FVC, TLC or DLCO. sPT presented better mean score in EuroQoL at 12 w and at 1 y without enough differences to claim statistical significance.

Conclusions: sPT showed benefits in 6MWD and hrQoL at 12 w. We did not detected benefits at 1 y neither according to IPF severity. Further research is required to assess the sPT effect in IPF patients A randomized controlled study could help to avoid bias from underpowered observational studies.