Benefits of physical training in patients with sarcoidosis

Abstract

Background: Sarcoidosis patients suffer from fatigue and exercise limitation. The aim of this study was to establish whether a physical training program improves these and other outcomes important to sarcoidosis patients. Study design: The cohort included 90 sarcoidosis outpatients (31 [34.4%] females; mean age 48.3±10.9yrs) who were referred to the ild care expertise team of Hospital Gelderse Vallei, Ede, The Netherlands from 11/2012-9/2014 and encouraged to complete a 12-week physical training program, supervised by a physical therapist. Outcomes assessed at baseline and 3 months included the following: 1) fatigue (assessed by the Fatigue Assessment Scale [FAS]); 2) exercise capacity; 3) skeletal muscle strength and 4) symptoms. Comparisons were made between patients who completed the training program (Group I) and those who chose not to participate (Group II). Results: Group I included 49 patients. At baseline, there were no between-group differences for fatigue, DLCO%, FVC%, or exercise capacity (assessed by percent predicted for six-minute walking distance [6MWD%] and Steep Ramp Test [SRT]). At 3 months, in Group I the 6MWD% was increased by 10.00±5.81%, whereas in Group II it remained unchanged (Δ=0.91±4.95 ; p between Group I and II Conclusion: A supervised physical training program improves exercise capacity and fatigue among sarcoidosis patients and should be included in their management regimen.