Changes in physical activity in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis before and after virtual pulmonary rehabilitation: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended for the treatment of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Physical activity is an important health behaviour, closely linked to survival in people with IPF. Little is known about the impact of virtual (V) PR on physical activity in people with IPF.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility of conducting a trial to explore effect of virtual PR on objectively measured physical activity in people with IPF.

METHODS

All patients with a diagnosis of IPF in a stable phase of the disease were invited to participate in VPR: a 10 week exercise programme delivered twice-weekly for one hour. Data were collected at baseline (BL) and post VPR (10 weeks): Kings Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (K-BILD), Exercise capacity (6-minute walk test (6MWT) or 1-minute sit-to-stand (STS)) and Physical Activity. Physical activity was measured with a triaxial accelerometer for seven days. Screening, recruitment, adherence and safety data were collected.

RESULTS

68 people were screened for this study. N = 16 participants were recruited to the study. There was one dropout. N = 15 completed VPR. All results reported in mean (standard deviation) (SD). Participants attended 18.1(2.0) of the 20 sessions. No adverse events were detected. The mean age of participants was 71.5(11.5) years, range: 47-95 years; 7 M:9 F. Mean (SD) FEV1 2.3(0.3)L, FVC 2.8(0.7)L. No statistically significant changes were observed in outcome measures apart from exercise capacity. Light physical activity increased from 152(69.4) minutes per day (n = 16) to 161.9(88.7) minutes per day (n = 14), mean change (SD) (CI) p-value: 9.9 (39.8) [-12.3 to 30.9] p = 0.4. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased from 19.1(18.6) minutes per day (n = 16) to 25.7(28.3) minutes per day (n = 14), mean change (SD) (CI) p-value: 6.7 (15.5) [-2.1 to 15.1] p = 0.1. Step count increased from 3838(2847) steps per day (n = 16) to 4537(3748) steps per day (n = 14), mean change (SD) (CI) p-value: 738 (1916) [-419.3 to 1734.6] p = 0.2. K-BILD (n = 15) increased from 55.1(7.4) at BL to 55.7(7.9) post VPR mean change (SD) [95% confidence interval] (CI) p-value: 1.7(6.5) [-1.7 to 5.3], p = 0.3. 6MWT (n = 5) increased from 361.5(127.1) to 452.2(136.1) meters, mean change (SD) (CI) p-value: 63.7 (48.2) [-3.8 to 123.6], p = 0.04 and 1-minute STS increased from 17.6(3.0) (n = 11) to 23.7(6.3) (n = 10), mean change (SD) (CI) p-value 5.8 (4.6) [2.6 to 9.1], p = 0.003.

CONCLUSION

VPR can improve physical activity in people with IPF. A number of important feasibility issues included recruitment, retention, adherence and safety have been reported which are crucial for future research in this area. A fully powered trial is needed to determine the response of people with IPF to PR with regard to physical activity.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in IPF Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods. Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP (CQVIP), Wanfang Data, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) were comprehensively searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of PR for IPF patients were included. Literature selection and data extraction were conducted by two review authors independently. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool and RevMan software (version 5.3) were used to evaluate the quality of studies and conduct statistical analysis, respectively. Results. Seven studies (190 participants) were included. PR had a significant effect on six-minute walk distance (6MWD) (MD:48.60; 95%CI: 29.03 to 68.18; Z=4.87, P<0.00001), and 6MWD was improved more in subgroup analysis including studies conducted in Asia (MD: 53.62; 95%CI: 30.48 to 76.66; Z=4.54, P<0.00001) and Europe (MD:54.10; 95% CI: 26.65 to 101.56; Z=2.23, P=0.03). Forced vital capacity (FVC%) was higher (MD: 3.69; 95%CI: 0.16 to 7.23; Z=2.05, P=0.04). St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)/IPF-specific SGRQ (SGRQ-I) total score was lower (MD: -7.87; 95% CI: -11.44 to -4.30; Z=4.32, P<0.0001). No significant effects were found for lung diffusing capacity determined by the single-breath technique (DLCO%) (MD: 3.02; 95%CI: -0.38 to 6.42; Z=1.74, P=0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that PR may enhance exercise capacity and improve quality of life in IPF patients. Besides, PR may also delay the decline of lung function of patients with IPF. However, further research should more fully assess the efficacy and safety of PR for IPF.

[Perioperative Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Lung Cancer Surgeries in Patients with Poor Pulmonary Function]

To properly perform preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation is important for lung cancer surgeries in patients with poor pulmonary function such as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD) to prevent postoperative complications. Those programs include exercise training, pursed-lip breathing technique, activities of dairy living training and facilitating physical activities, all which are almost same as those for patients with stable COPD. Pedometer is a useful tool to lead patient's physical activities. Postoperative therapeutic programs are also important, which includes early mobilization, nutritional support, and so on.

Benefits of physical training in patients with idiopathic or end-stage sarcoidosis-related pulmonary fibrosis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

The natural history of disease in patients with stage IV (fibrotic) sarcoidosis may mirror that of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Both are bothered by progressive dyspnea, exercise limitation and fatigue.

OBJECTIVE

To establish whether patients suffering from pulmonary fibrosis might benefit from a physical training program.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty-four eligible patients referred to the out-patient clinic of the ild care expertise team of Hospital Gelderse Vallei, Ede, The Netherlands between November 2012 and November 2013 were included in this observational pilot study of a 12-week physical training program. Outcomes, including exercise capacity, skeletal muscle strength, lung function and fatigue were assessed at two time points: 1) baseline; and 2) after completion of a 12-week physical training program.

RESULTS

At baseline, the percentage predicted DLCO, FVC, FEV1 and exercise capacity (assessed by six-minute walking distance (6MWD) or maximal oxygen uptake) was reduced in both groups. After program completion, exercise capacity improved (&gt;10% improvement 6MWD) in 13 subjects (54.2%): 7 with IPF and 6 with sarcoidosis subjects. Other secondary endpoints, including pulmonary function tests and patient-reported outcome measures improved in some subjects.

CONCLUSION

A 12-week physical training program improved or maintained exercise capacity in patients with IPF (despite disease progression) or fibrotic sarcoidosis. The results from this pilot study could be used to design prospective studies aimed at answering lingering questions about exercise training in patients with these progressive, incurable conditions.

Exercise limitation in IPF patients: a randomized trial of pulmonary rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have severely limited exercise capacity due to dyspnea, hypoxemia, and abnormal lung mechanics. This pilot study was designed to determine whether pulmonary rehabilitation were efficacious in improving the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) distance, exercise oxygen uptake, respiratory muscle strength [maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP)], and dyspnea in patients with IPF. Underlying physiological mechanisms and effects of the intervention were investigated.

METHODS

Subjects were randomly assigned to a 3-month pulmonary rehabilitation program (n = 11) or to a control group (n = 10). All subjects initially underwent the 6-MWT and constant load exercise gas exchange studies.

RESULTS

Subjects in the rehabilitation group increased treadmill exercise [metabolic equivalent of task-minutes] over the first 14 sessions. Beneficial effects on physical function resulted in those who completed rehabilitation. Subjects who completed the program increased cycle ergometer time and maintained exercise oxygen consumption (exercise VO(2)) at the baseline level over 3 months, while the control group suffered a significant decrease in exercise VO(2). Rehabilitation subjects also increased their MIP. Plasma lactate doubled and brain natriuretic peptide levels increased significantly after exercise, as did the plasma amino acids glutamic acid, arginine, histidine, and methionine. These changes were associated with significant decreases in arterial oxygen saturation and increases in 15-F(2t)-isoprostanes after exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary rehabilitation effectively maintained exercise oxygen uptake over 3 months and lengthened constant load exercise time in patients with moderately severe IPF. Exercise endurance on cycle ergometry testing was limited by dyspnea and severe hypoxemia associated with systemic oxidant stress.

[The role of pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common interstitial lung disease (ILD) characterized by exertional dyspnea, hypoxemia and exercise intolerance. The pathophysiology of IPF usually presents restrictive physiology of lung volume and impaired gas exchange. Most of the research which supports the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) comes from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients' studies. However, in the past few years growing evidence has emerged to support the effectiveness and safety of PR programs in IPF patients. Exercise training in PR programs was shown to increase exercise and functional capacity, decreasing shortness of breath and improving quality of life in IPF patients. Nevertheless, PR guidelines for IPF patients have not yet been established. This review presents the current existing data on the effectiveness of PR programs in IPF patients. Large and well controlled trials are needed for the establishment of clinical guidelines of PR in IPF patients.

Effects of oxygen on exercise-induced increase of pulmonary arterial pressure in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe disease with no known effective therapy. Patients with IPF may develop severe increase of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) on exercise, the mechanisms of which is not clearly identified.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether oxygen may correct the increase of PAP developed during exercise in patients with IPF.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective study on patients with IPF and no hypoxaemia at rest. The absence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) at rest was confirmed by echocardiography (systolic PAP <35 mmHg). Eight patients underwent echocardiography during exercise in air and with oxygen (to maintain saturation of at least 94%). Right ventricle-right atrium gradient and cardiac output were measured at rest, after each increment and at peak. We then compared the echocardiographic results obtained for air and oxygen.

RESULTS

All patients developed significant increase of SPAP on exercise (73 +/- 14 mmHg in air). Oxygen did not significantly improve SPAP on exercise (SPAP: 76 +/- 15 mmHg). Echocardiographic characteristics were similar between air and oxygen except for exercise tolerance in term of workload (p=0.045) and endurance (p=0.017). Resting pulmonary function tests did not predict the occurrence of increase of PAP on exercise.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that oxygen does not improve exercise-induced increase of PAP in patients with IPF and support the hypothesis that hypoxic vaso-constriction is not the main mechanism of acute increase of PAP during exercise.