8-week Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research Articles

Asthma control and health-related quality of life one year after inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation: the ProKAR Study

Objectives: Although pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is commonly used for asthmatics in many countries, so far there are no studies addressing the question of whether and for how long an improvement in asthma control (AC) is seen after rehabilitation. The ProKAR study (Prospektive Katamnesestudie Asthma-Rehabilitation) was performed to provide data concerning the short- and long-term impact of PR on AC. Methods: Two-hundred one adult patients with mild to severe persistent asthma were prospectively followed one year after completion of a 3-week PR program. AC, the primary outcome parameter, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were monitored using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at initiation (T0) and end of the PR (T1) and 3, 6 and 12 months thereafter. Pulmonary function, physical fitness (6MWD) and asthmatic inflammation (FENO) were measured at T0 and T1. Results: The proportion of patients with well-controlled asthma (ACT score ≥20) increased from 33.2% to 67.3% after PR and was still at 51% after 12 months. Slight but statistically significant improvements in pulmonary functions and an increase in 6MWD of nearly 60 m were reported at T1. One year after discharge 55.8% of the patients still showed a clinically relevant improvement of at least 4 points in the total SGRQ score. Conclusions: The multidisciplinary inpatient PR program resulted in significant short and long-term improvement in AC and HRQoL in adult asthmatic patients.

Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine is a potential indicator for estimating pulmonary rehabilitation-induced oxidative stress in COPD patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic lung disease and is an important cause of morbidity worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with different stages of COPD. Eighteen stable COPD patients participated in 8-week PR; the exercise intensity was set at 70% of the VO2 peak. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: moderate to severe (stages II/III: n = 12) and very severe COPD with FEV1 < 30% predicted (stage IV: n = 6). In patients at stages II/III, PR improved exercise capacity (6-minute walking test: 431.2 ± 26.6 vs. 489.1 ± 26.5 m, P < 0.01 and shuttle walking test: 329.2 ± 41.4 vs. 378.2 ± 41.5 m, P < 0.01) and HRQL, whereas no significant change was observed in erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker for DNA damage. In contrast, PR for stage IV patients did not improve exercise capacity and HRQL, but significantly increased urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (14.5 ± 1.7 vs. 24.3 ± 2.6 ng/mg Cr, P < 0.05). In both groups, erythrocyte antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) did not change significantly after PR. Thus, urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine is a useful indicator for the PR-induced oxidative stress in COPD patients. In conclusion, appropriate exercise program in COPD patients can improve exercise capacity and HRQL without further increase of oxidative stress. However, PR for very severe COPD patients enhanced exercise-induced oxidative stress.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Balance Training During Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Individuals With COPD

Deficits in balance are increasingly recognized among the important secondary impairments in COPD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a balance-training program on measures of balance and physical function in patients with COPD enrolled in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Patients were assigned randomly to an intervention or control group. The intervention group underwent balance training three times a week for 6 weeks concurrently with PR. The control group received only the 6-week PR program. Clinical balance measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. The physical function subscale of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (PF-10) and the 30-s chair-stand test were used to measure self-reported physical function and lower-extremity muscle strength, respectively. Thirty-nine patients with COPD (mean FEV1, 37.5% ± 15.6% predicted) were enrolled in the study. Mean compliance with the balance-training program was 82.5%, and no adverse events were reported. Compared with control subjects, scores on the BBS (P < .01), BESTest (P < .01), PF-10 (P = .01), and 30-s chair-stand (P = .02) were significantly improved in the intervention group. No significant between-group differences were found in change scores on the ABC scale (P = .2). Our results support the feasibility and effectiveness of balance training as part of PR for improving balance performance, muscle strength, and self-reported physical function in patients with moderate to severe COPD.

P117 Comparison of respiratory-related quality of life pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes and duration of treatment in acute and community settings

Introduction and ObjectivesNICE guidance recommends that patients are offered between six and twelve weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation as effective treatment option for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (NICE, 2010). While there...

Evaluation of multidimensional COPD-related subjective fatigue following a Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme

Subjective fatigue has been recognised as an important, multi-component symptom in COPD. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) improves fatigue component of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, a quality of life (QoL) measure. However, it is not clear if all fatigue dimensions are affected equally. This study aims to evaluate changes in subjective multidimensional fatigue among people with COPD who participated in PR. Thirty seven stable COPD patients were recruited; 23 patients (15 male) mean age 68.5 (range 49-86) yrs, mean (SD) %predicted FEV1 45.3 (19.8); completed 7 weeks of PR. Assessments (pre and post PR) consisted of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), QoL (SGRQ), Anxiety and Depression (HADS), the London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale (LCADL), muscle strength, incremental (ISWT) and endurance (ESWT) shuttle walk tests. The differences between pre and post PR fatigue were tested using Wilcoxon's test and relationships with other outcomes were examined using Spearman's correlation. There were statistically significant improvements in Reduced Activity (RA) (p=0.01), General (GF) (p<0.01) and Physical Fatigue (PF) (p=0.03) components of MFI-20 after PR, but there were no differences in Motivation or Mental Fatigue (p>0.05). There were significant improvements in ISWT (p<0.05), ESWT (p<0.01) and muscle strength (p=0.03). Statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between changes in GF and in both ISWT (r=-0.43) and SGRQ impact (r=0.46); and between RA and ESWT changes (r=-0.45). Some dimensions of fatigue in COPD are modifiable by a 7-week PR programme. Change in fatigue dimensions in COPD may be associated with a change in maximal or endurance walking distances or QoL.

A Survey of Opinions and Attitudes Toward Exercise Following a 12-month Maintenance Exercise Program for People with COPD

To determine the opinions and attitudes toward exercise in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who had completed a randomised controlled trial of 12-months maintenance exercise. Participants were eligible for recruitment to the maintenance exercise study if they had COPD and had completed an 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation program. They were randomized into an Intervention Group (IG) that consisted of once weekly, supervised hospital-based maintenance exercise plus home exercise for 12 months or a Control Group that undertook unsupervised home maintenance exercise for 12 months. At the end of the 12 months, participants completed a survey consisting of 23 questions using a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 100 mm. Forty-eight participants completed the 12 month study and 36 participants (75%) completed the survey [IG mean (SD): age 65 (8) years, FEV1 58 (20) % predicted; CG: age 66 (8) years, FEV1 67 (17) % predicted]. No between group difference was found for the importance of exercise, the benefits of the program or the importance of support from the physiotherapist. However, the IG reported exercising more regularly, having more enjoyment of being involved in the maintenance exercise program, greater benefit in general well-being, and better physical fitness. At the completion of the 12 month exercise study, the survey results showed that all participants reported positive attitudes towards both supervised and unsupervised maintenance exercise programs, with the IG reporting greater benefits.

Response of the COPD Assessment Test to pulmonary rehabilitation in unselected chronic respiratory disease

The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is a recently introduced, simple-to-use health status instrument that takes less time to complete than better-established health status instruments. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, the CAT improves with pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), and changes correlate with improvements in longer-established health status instruments such as the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ). Increasing numbers of non-COPD patients are referred for PR, but it is not known whether the CAT is responsive to PR in these populations. The CAT score was prospectively measured in 365 consecutive patients (255 COPD, 110 non-COPD) before and after an 8-week PR programme. Pre to post change in CAT was calculated for COPD and non-COPD patients, and correlated with change in the CRQ. For both non-COPD and COPD patients, there was a similar and significant improvement in the mean (95% confidence interval) CAT score following PR (non-COPD: -2.1 (-1.0, -3.2) vs COPD: -3.0 (-2.2, -3.8); P = 0.19). Change in CAT was significantly correlated with all domains of the CRQ in non-COPD patients (all P < 0.01). As in COPD patients, the CAT is immediately responsive to PR in non-COPD patients. Even in unselected chronic respiratory disease patients undergoing PR, the CAT is a practical alternative to longer-established health status questionnaires.

Journal Club

Background It is uncertain whether the effort and expense of performing a second walk for the 6-min walk test improves test performance. Hence, we attempted to quantify the improvement in 6-min walk distance if an additional walk were to be performed. Methods We studied patients consecutively enrolled into the National Emphysema Treatment Trial who prior to randomization and after 6 to 10 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation performed two 6-min walks on consecutive days (N = 396). Patients also performed two 6-min walks at 6-month follow-up after randomization to lung volume reduction surgery (n = 74) or optimal medical therapy (n = 64). We compared change in the first walk distance to change in the second, average-of-two, and best-of-two walk distances. Results Compared with the change in the first walk distance, change in the average-of-two and best-of-two walk distances had better validity and precision. Specifically, 6 months after randomization to lung volume reduction surgery, changes in the average-of-two ( r = 0.66 vs r = 0.58, P = .01) and best-of-two walk distances ( r = 0.67 vs r = 0.58, P = .04) better correlated with the change in maximal exercise capacity (ie, better validity). Additionally, the variance of change was 14% to 25% less for the average-of-two walk distances and 14% to 33% less for the best-of-two walk distances than the variance of change in the single walk distance, indicating better precision. Conclusions Adding a second walk to the 6-min walk test significantly improves its performance in measuring response to a therapeutic intervention, improves the validity of COPD clinical trials, and would result in a 14% to 33% reduction in sample size requirements. Hence, it should be strongly considered by clinicians and researchers as an outcome measure for therapeutic interventions in patients with COPD.

Preoperative rehabilitation in patients with thoracic tumors and borderline abnormal spirometry results: Preliminary report.

e18529 Background: The role of preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation is unclear. The aim of the study is short-term efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with thoracic tumors and borderline abnormal spirometry results before thoracic surgery. Methods: We observed 12 patients (7 women, 5 men) in mean age of 64 (range 46-82) years. Clinical inclusion criteria were: diagnosis of thoracic tumors and reduced values of FEV1 and FVC predicting postoperative complications. Spirometry and 6MWT were chosen for evaluation of lung function and physical performance during rehabilitation. These tests were performed twice during screening phase to eliminate the factors of learning, and were repeated after first and second week of rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation included two weeks of training on the treadmill with individually selected speed, physiotherapy exercises and breathing training with using of Triflo. Results: The analyses of results of spirometry and 6MWT before and after 2 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation indicated the significant differences in values of: 1)FEV1 (L): 1,38 ± 0,23 vs 1,61 ± 0,29 (p=0,01) 2) FEV1 (%N): 56,3 ± 13,9 vs 67,8 ± (p=0,007) 3) FVC (L): 2,24 ± 0,37 vs 2,74 ± 0,67 (p=0,03) 4) FVC (%N): 73,5 ± 15,7 vs 91,2 ± 12,7 (p=0,01) 5) 6MWT distance (m): 251 ± 79 vs 310 ± 74 (p=0,003). Although improvement after rehabilitation, 3 patients were disqualified from lobectomy due to unsatisfactory performance status. Another 3 patients experienced complications during perioperative period. Analysis of pulmonary rehabilitation efficacy showed that 6 patients with favourite outcome after thoracic surgery differed significantly in comparing to others. They achieved significantly higher difference in following parameters: 1) FEV1 (L): 0,4 vs 0,06 (p=0,02) 2) FVC (L): 0,91 vs 0,09 (p=0,02) 3) 6MWT distance (m): 93 vs 25 (p=0,016). Conclusions: A two-week pulmonary rehabilitation leads to significant improvement of lung function and physical performance in patients with thoracic tumors and borderline abnormal spirometry results. A clinically significant increase of absolute values of FEV1, FVC and 6MWT distance may indicate a favourite outcome after thoracic surgery.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Sleep Quality in Chronic Lung Disease

Sleep-related disorders are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and, possibily, other lung disorders. Exercise has been shown to improve sleep disturbances. In patients with COPD, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) produces important health benefits with improvement in symptoms, exercise tolerance, and quality of life. However, the effect of PR on sleep quality remains unknown. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate sleep quality in patients with chronic lung disease and the role of PR as a non-pharmacologic treatment to improve sleep. Sixty-four patients with chronic lung disease enrolled in an 8-week comprehensive PR program, and completed the study (48% male; obstructive [72%], restrictive [20%], mixed [8%]; 44% on supplemental oxygen). Baseline spirometry [mean (SD)]: FEV1% pred = 48.9 (17.4), FVC% pred = 72.5 (18.1), and FEV1/FVC% = 53.1 (18.9). Exercise tolerance and questionnaires related to symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were obtained before and after PR. 58% reported poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) at baseline. Sleep quality improved by 19% (p = 0.017) after PR, along with significant improvements in dyspnea, exercise tolerance, self-efficacy, and HRQL. Sleep quality in patients with chronic lung disease was poor. In addition to expected improvements in symptoms, exercise tolerance, and HRQL after PR, the subgroup of patients with COPD had a significant improvement in sleep quality. These findings suggest that PR may be an effective, non-pharmacologic treatment option for sleep problems in patients with COPD.

Effect of Single-Set Resistance Training on Quality of Life in COPD Patients Enrolled in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Single-set resistance training (SSRT) improves strength and function in older adults with COPD. However, its effect on quality of life (QOL) has not been evaluated. This study evaluated the effect of SSRT on QOL in COPD patients enrolled in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and identified relationships between muscular strength, endurance and QOL. Nineteen men and women (70.5 ± 5.0 years old) with COPD completed 8 weeks of PR alone or PR plus SSRT. QOL was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36. Upper and lower body strength was measured using chest and leg press, and lower body endurance was measured with the 6-min walk test. There were no significant differences in QOL between PR with versus without SSRT before or after PR. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in QOL, including the Physical Function (P = .02), Role Physical (P = .002), Vitality (P = .03), Social Functioning (P = .03), and Mental Health (P = .04) domains. Before PR, only lower body strength and endurance were significantly related to Physical Function (r = 0.53, P = .02 and r = 0.51, P = .03, respectively). After the exercise program, upper body strength as well as lower body strength and endurance were significantly related to Physical Function (r = 0.57, P = .01, r = 0.51, P = .03, and r = 0.62, P = .005, respectively), although improvements in Physical Function were predicted solely by improvements in upper body strength (r = 0.54, P = .02). The addition of SSRT to traditional PR does not affect overall improvements in QOL that are influenced primarily by an increase in upper body strength. Our findings suggest a threshold effect for exercise training, such that, once a threshold stimulus has been achieved, further improvements in QOL are not dose-dependent.

Optimizing the 6-Min Walk Test as a Measure of Exercise Capacity in COPD

It is uncertain whether the effort and expense of performing a second walk for the 6-min walk test improves test performance. Hence, we attempted to quantify the improvement in 6-min walk distance if an additional walk were to be performed. We studied patients consecutively enrolled into the National Emphysema Treatment Trial who prior to randomization and after 6 to 10 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation performed two 6-min walks on consecutive days (N = 396). Patients also performed two 6-min walks at 6-month follow-up after randomization to lung volume reduction surgery (n = 74) or optimal medical therapy (n = 64). We compared change in the first walk distance to change in the second, average-of-two, and best-of-two walk distances. Compared with the change in the first walk distance, change in the average-of-two and best-of-two walk distances had better validity and precision. Specifically, 6 months after randomization to lung volume reduction surgery, changes in the average-of-two (r = 0.66 vs r = 0.58, P = .01) and best-of-two walk distances (r = 0.67 vs r = 0.58, P = .04) better correlated with the change in maximal exercise capacity (ie, better validity). Additionally, the variance of change was 14% to 25% less for the average-of-two walk distances and 14% to 33% less for the best-of-two walk distances than the variance of change in the single walk distance, indicating better precision. Adding a second walk to the 6-min walk test significantly improves its performance in measuring response to a therapeutic intervention, improves the validity of COPD clinical trials, and would result in a 14% to 33% reduction in sample size requirements. Hence, it should be strongly considered by clinicians and researchers as an outcome measure for therapeutic interventions in patients with COPD.

Preoperative Pulmonary Rehabilitation Versus Chest Physical Therapy in Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Resection: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of 4 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) versus chest physical therapy (CPT) on the preoperative functional capacity and postoperative respiratory morbidity of patients undergoing lung cancer resection. DesignRandomized single-blinded study. SettingA teaching hospital. ParticipantsPatients undergoing lung cancer resection (N=24). InterventionsPatients were randomly assigned to receive PR (strength and endurance training) versus CPT (breathing exercises for lung expansion). Both groups received educational classes. Main Outcome MeasuresFunctional parameters assessed before and after 4 weeks of PR or CPT (phase 1), and pulmonary complications assessed after lung cancer resection (phase 2). ResultsTwelve patients were randomly assigned to the PR arm and 12 to the CPT arm. Three patients in the CPT arm were not submitted to lung resection because of inoperable cancer. During phase 1 evaluation, most functional parameters in the PR group improved from baseline to 1 month: forced vital capacity (FVC) (1.47L [1.27–2.33L] vs 1.71L [1.65–2.80L], respectively; P=.02); percentage of predicted FVC (FVC%; 62.5% [49%–71%] vs 76% [65%–79.7%], respectively; P<.05); 6-minute walk test (425.5±85.3m vs 475±86.5m, respectively; P<.05); maximal inspiratory pressure (90±45.9cmH2O vs 117.5±36.5cmH2O, respectively; P<.05); and maximal expiratory pressure (79.7±17.1cmH2O vs 92.9±21.4cmH2O, respectively; P<.05). During phase 2 evaluation, the PR group had a lower incidence of postoperative respiratory morbidity (P=.01), a shorter length of postoperative stay (12.2±3.6d vs 7.8±4.8d, respectively; P=.04), and required a chest tube for fewer days (7.4±2.6d vs 4.5±2.9d, respectively; P=.03) compared with the CPT arm. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that 4 weeks of PR before lung cancer resection improves preoperative functional capacity and decreases the postoperative respiratory morbidity.

Predictors of benefit following pulmonary rehabilitation for interstitial lung disease

Pulmonary rehabilitation improves functional capacity and symptoms in the interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), however there is marked variation in outcomes between individuals. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of the aetiology and severity of ILD on response to pulmonary rehabilitation. Forty-four subjects with ILD, including 25 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), underwent eight weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation. Relationships between disease aetiology, markers of disease severity and response to pulmonary rehabilitation were assessed after eight weeks and six months, regardless of program completion. In IPF, greater improvements in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) immediately following pulmonary rehabilitation were associated with larger forced vital capacity (r=0.49, p=0.01), less exercise-induced oxyhaemoglobin desaturation (r(S)=0.43, p=0.04) and lower right ventricular systolic pressure (r=-0.47, p=0.1). In participants with other ILDs there was no relationship between change in 6MWD and baseline variables. Less exercise-induced oxyhaemoglobin desaturation at baseline independently predicted a larger improvement in 6MWD at six month follow-up. Fewer participants with IPF had clinically important reductions in dyspnoea at six months compared to those with other ILDs (25% vs 56%, p=0.04). More severe dyspnoea at baseline and diagnosis other than IPF predicted greater improvement in dyspnoea at six months. Patients with IPF attain greater and more sustained benefits from pulmonary rehabilitation when disease is mild, whereas those with other ILDs achieve benefits regardless of disease severity. Early referral to pulmonary rehabilitation should be considered in IPF.

S31 Energy expenditure and physical activity levels during an 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme

IntroductionThe IMPRESS standards for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) recommend that programmes should include two supervised exercise sessions per week for at least 4 weeks, and written prescriptions of exercise training with...

Short of breath, short of benefit: Important considerations for the rehabilitation of IPF patients

Short of breath, short of benefit: Important considerations for the rehabilitation of IPF patients

Effect of disability level on response to pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

It is unclear whether the severity of functional limitation resulting from IPF affects the response to pulmonary rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of rehabilitation in patients with IPF, who were grouped according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea scale. Sixty-five subjects (46, 71% men) with stable IPF were enrolled in an 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Subjects with MRC dyspnoea grades 2, 3 and 4 undertook a supervised outpatient programme, whereas subjects with MRC dyspnoea grade 5 participated in an unsupervised, home-based programme, with review every 2 weeks. The outcome measures included functional exercise capacity (6MWD), health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36)) and dyspnoea (transition dyspnoea index), which were measured at baseline and immediately after the programme. Hospitalizations for respiratory exacerbations were compared for the 12 months preceding and following the programme. The number of subjects with MRC dyspnoea grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 were 16 (25%), 17 (26%), 17 (26%) and 15 (23%), respectively. There were differences between these groups in the magnitude of change in 6MWD, SF-36 and transition dyspnoea index (all P < 0.05). Specifically, subjects with MRC dyspnoea grade 2 or 3 demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in 6MWD and SF-36 following rehabilitation (all P < 0.05). In contrast, for all measures, subjects with MRC dyspnoea grade 4 or 5 showed little or no improvement, or deteriorated following rehabilitation. Hospitalizations were reduced following rehabilitation only in subjects with MRC dyspnoea grade 2, 3 or 4 (P<0.05). The response to pulmonary rehabilitation in subjects with IPF varies depending on the MRC grade of dyspnoea, with little benefit being observed in subjects with severe functional limitation.

Social comparison and anxious mood in pulmonary rehabilitation: The role of cognitive focus

Comorbid anxiety is highly prevalent in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and it is related to increased morbidity and mortality. It has consistently been found that social comparison has substantial impact on mood. However, despite the strong social component of pulmonary rehabilitation, the effect of social comparison processes on anxiety has not been explored in this context. Participants were 43 COPD patients enrolled in a 3-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. We tested in a longitudinal design the relationship between social comparison and assimilation and contrast at the beginning of rehabilitation and anxious mood at the end of the programme. Using moderator analysis, we tested whether perceived similarities and differences to upward and downward social comparison standards influence the relationship between comparison direction at the beginning of the programme and anxious mood at the end of the programme. The relationship between social comparison at the start of rehabilitation and anxious mood at the end of the programme was dependent on assimilation and contrast to upward and downward standards. Downward assimilation and upward contrast were related to a stronger relationship of upward and downward social comparison and anxious mood. This study demonstrates the important role of social comparison focus in moderating beneficial effects of pulmonary rehabilitation. Downward assimilation and upward contrast might be important targets in reducing anxiety in pulmonary rehabilitation.

Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Information on the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is growing, but PR's effects on certain important outcomes is lacking. We conducted a pilot study of PR in IPF and analyzed changes in functional capacity, fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep, and health status from baseline to after completion of a standard, 6-week PR program. Six-min walk distance improved a mean ± standard error 202 ± 135 feet (P = .01) from baseline. Fatigue Severity Scale score also improved significantly, declining an average 1.5 ± 0.5 points from baseline. There were trends toward improvement in anxiety, depression, and health status. PR improves functional capacity and fatigue in patients with IPF. (Clinical Trials.gov registration NCT00692796.)

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation in bronchiectasis: A retrospective study

There is limited information about the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with bronchiectasis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an out-patient PR program in patients with a primary diagnosis of bronchiectasis and to compare them with a matched COPD group who completed the same PR program. A retrospective review was conducted of patients with bronchiectasis or COPD who completed 6 to 8 weeks of PR at two tertiary institutions. The outcome measures were the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ). Ninety-five patients with bronchiectasis completed the PR (48 male; FEV(1) 63 [24] % predicted; age 67 [10] years). Significant improvements in 6MWD (mean change 53.4 m, 95% CI 45.0 to 61.7) and CRQ total score (mean change 14.0 units, 95% CI 11.3 to 16.7) were observed immediately following PR. In patients with complete follow-up (n = 37), these improvements remained significantly higher than baseline at 12 months (20.5 m, 95% CI 1.4 to 39.5 for 6MWD; 12.1 points, 95% CI 5.7 to 18.4 for CRQ total score). The time trend and changes in the 6MWD and CRQ scores were not significantly different between the bronchiectasis and the COPD groups (all p > 0.05). This study supports the inclusion of patients with bronchiectasis in existing PR programs. Further prospective RCTs are warranted to substantiate these findings.