The evidence of benefits of exercise training: Long-term effects of pulmonary rehabilitation in Idiopatic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease, with poor prognosis and few therapeutic options. IPF is characterized by pulmonary restriction, dyspnea, hypoxemia, exercise intolerance and poor quality of life (QOL). Aims and Objective: We aimed to examine the effect of exercise training (ET) on clinical outcomes and on quality of life and symptoms in IPF patients. Methods: Subjects who met current criteria for IPF were randomized to a 12-month pulmonary rehabilitation program (n _ 25) or to a control group (n _ 25). The rehabilitation group participated in twiceweekly, 90-min exercise sessions (72 total sessions). The control group maintained its preceding normal physical activity. 6-min walking distance (6MWD) test, 30-second chair-stand test, pulmonary function tests, dyspnea and QOL were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention. The SGRQ-I and a 5-point self-assessment of health were completed at baseline, after 3 months of intervention or observation, and after 12-month follow-up. Results: Subjects in the rehabilitation group maintained significantly higher levels of physical activity throughout the 12-month rehabilitation program. SGRQ-I symptom domain scores improved considerably in the rehabilitation group (from 20 to 36, p>0.01), whereas in the control group they worsened Significant differences were observed between the ET and the control groups in raw mean: Δ6MWD, 121 m, p Conclusion: ET improves exercise tolerance, functional capacity, pulmonary function, dyspnea and QOL in IPF.