The Effects of Breathing Retraining in Patients With Interstitial Lung Diseases

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Interstitial Lung Disease
• Interventions: Behavioral: Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Registration Number: NCT03729583
• Lead Sponsor: University of Malta

Brief Summary

Breathing retraining has been reported to lead to improvements in dyspnoea and walking distance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Evidence regarding the effects of such an intervention in ILD patients is though lacking. In view of this, the aims of such a study were to identify whether breathing retraining led to better management of dyspnoea and improved walking distance in ILD patients.

Detailed Description

One of the commonest symptoms experienced in patients with a diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is shortness of breath, a symptom which greatly affects their abilities to carry out activities of daily living. Breathing retraining has been reported to lead to improvements in dyspnoea and walking distance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Evidence regarding the effects of such an intervention in ILD patients is though lacking. In view of this, the aims of such a study were to identify whether breathing retraining led to better management of dyspnoea and improved walking distance in ILD patients. Twenty Seven ILD patients were randomly distributed to either the control group (n=15) which received a 12-week Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) programme without breathing retraining or the active group (n=12) which received a 12-week PR programme with breathing retraining. All patients had both the 6-minute walk test and their level of breathlessness assessed using the Dyspnoea Borg scale assessed at baseline and at 4 weekly intervals for a 12-week period throughout the programme.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-07-01
• Primary Completion: 2017-11-30
• Study Completion: 2018-05-18
• Study First Submitted: 2018-10-31
• Status Verified: 2018-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-11-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-11-01
• Study First Posted: 2018-11-02
• Last Update Posted: 2018-11-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ILD and who were referred for PR

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients who had musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting the outcome measures
• Patients who required oxygen therapy and did not accept administration
• Patients with unstable cardiovascular conditions
• Patients who were not willing to participate

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control group	Pulmonary Rehabilitation	The control group consisted of 15 patients with a diagnosis of ILD. They received a 12-week Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) programme without breathing retraining All patients were medically stable and referred by their caring respiratory consultant
Active group	Pulmonary Rehabilitation	The active group consisted of 15 patients with a diagnosis of ILD. They received a 12-week Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) programme with breathing retraining exercises. All patients were medically stable and referred by their caring respiratory consultant

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
6 minute walk test	Change in walking distance from baseline to 12weeks	A walk test to examine exercise endurance

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Dyspnoea score	Change in dyspnoea measures from baseline to 12weeks	Borg scale

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Melanie Axiak; 🇲🇹 Mosta, Malta