Effects of exercise training on functional performance in fibrosing interstitial lung diseases

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b> We aimed to compare the effects of different aerobic exercise training (AET) programs on respiratory performance, exercise capacity, and quality of life in fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (f-ILD). <b>Methods:</b> 18 patients with f-ILD diagnosis based on high resolution CT chest were recruited from Main Alexandria University hospital-Egypt whereas 10 patients were randomly assigned for only lower limbs training program, and 8 patients for lower&nbsp;limbs,&nbsp;upper limbs and breathing exercises program&nbsp;for consecutive 18 sessions. All patients were subjected for St George’s respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), spirometry and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) before and after AET programs. <b>Results:</b> Ten patients (55.6%) were female. Fibrosing NSIP and collagenic associated-ILD were the commonest pathologies among the studied population (33.3% and 27.8% respectively) with mean age of 43.2±10.5 years old and FVC of 49.9±12%. 6-MWT and SGRQ significantly improved after both AET programs&nbsp;(p&lt;0.001). Further, oxygen consumption (VO2), work load, minute ventilation (VE) at maximal exercise significantly improved after both types of AET&nbsp;training (p&lt;0.05); however, neither ventilation equivalent (VE/VCO2) nor FVC% improved after AET&nbsp;(p=0.052 and 0.259 respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between lower limbs training and combined lower limbs/upper limbs/breathing&nbsp;training programmes regarding various CPET parameters or SGRQ&nbsp;(p&gt;0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> AET was&nbsp;associated with improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life in f-ILD patients irrespective of the&nbsp;type of AET&nbsp;program provided.