Science and Research

Short-Term Effects of Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation and its Maintenance in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The recommendation for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is weak with low-quality evidence. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate short-term PR effects and their maintenance after a 3-month follow-up. Fifty-four IPF patients were randomized into a group receiving a 3-week comprehensive, inpatient PR (n = 34, FVC: 74 +/- 19% pred.) or usual care (UC) (n = 17, FVC: 72 +/- 20%pred.). Outcomes were measured at baseline (T1), after intervention (T2), and 3 months after T2 (T3). A 6-min walk distance (6MWD) was used as the primary outcome and chronic respiratory disease questionnaire (CRQ) scores as the secondary outcome. Change in 6MWD from T1 to T2 (Delta = 61 m, 95% CI (18.5-102.4), p = 0.006) but not from T1 to T3 ( = 26 m, 95% CI (8.0-61.5), p = 0.16) differed significantly between groups. Higher baseline FVC and higher anxiety symptoms were significant predictors of better short-term 6MWD improvements. For the change in CRQ total score, a significant between-group difference from T1 to T2 ( = 3.0 pts, 95% CI (0.7-5.3), p = 0.01) and from T1 to T3 ( = 3.5 pts, 95% CI (1.5-5.4), p = 0.001) was found in favour of the PR group. To conclude, in addition to the short-term benefits, inpatient PR is effective at inducing medium-term quality of life improvements in IPF. PR in the early stages of the disease seems to provoke the best benefits.

  • Jarosch, I.
  • Schneeberger, T.
  • Gloeckl, R.
  • Kreuter, M.
  • Frankenberger, M.
  • Neurohr, C.
  • Prasse, A.
  • Freise, J.
  • Behr, J.
  • Hitzl, W.
  • Koczulla, A. R.
  • Kenn, K.

Keywords

  • exercise
  • idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
  • pulmonary rehabilitation
  • quality of life
Publication details
DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051567
Journal: J Clin Med
Number: 5
Work Type: Original
Location: BREATH, CPC-M, UGMLC
Disease Area: DPLD
Partner / Member: ASK, ITEM, LMU, MHH, UMR
Access-Number: 32455843
See publication on PubMed

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