MedPath

Structured Exercise Training Programme in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Breathlessness
Quality of Life
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Interventions
Other: Structured Responsive Exercise Training
Other: Usual Care
Registration Number
NCT03222648
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Brief Summary

In this single centre non-randomised pilot cohort study we wish to quantify the effect of a twice weekly, 8 week, structured responsive exercise training programme on exercise tolerance, symptoms and health related quality of life in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). We also wish to assess the effect of exercise training on fibrotic processes causing IPF through measurement of blood biomarkers of disease activity.

Detailed Description

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease characterised by progressive exercise intolerance and breathlessness. In 2012 there were 32 500 people living in the United Kingdom (UK) with IPF. Average life expectancy from time of diagnosis is 2-3 years (Ley et al. 2011). Despite recent advances in drug therapy, therapeutic options are limited and no medication has been found to halt progression of the disease. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is a structured exercise and education intervention that is well established as a core treatment intervention for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Current limited evidence shows that PR is safe in patients with IPF and can lead to short-term improvements in exercise tolerance, symptoms and quality of life (Dowman et al. 2014). However the optimal exercise protocol, the longer-term benefits and which group or patients (those with milder or more severe disease) benefit most is unclear. Further it is unknown what mechanisms underlie any improvement and whether exercise training influences the fibrotic process causing IPF.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
17
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participants aged 18-85 years with a confirmed diagnosis of fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD) including; Usual Interstitial Pneumonia, fibrotic Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (chronic HP) and unclassifiable interstitial lung disease (unclassified ILD). Medical Research Council (MRC) breathlessness scale grade 1-3. Clinically stable for 3 months as judged by investigator
Exclusion Criteria
  • Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) to Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7
  • Patients with severe heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade III or IV or left ventricular systolic function <45%
  • Current use of ambulatory or long term oxygen therapy
  • Resting oxygen saturations <85% on air
  • The presence of infection or exacerbation requiring hospitalization, within 3 months prior to recruitment
  • Commencement on anti-fibrotic therapy (Pirfenidone® or Nintedanib®) within 3 months prior to recruitment to the study
  • Patients taking oral corticosteroids: unless the dose is less than 15 mg of prednisolone or equivalent, and the dose has been stable for 8 weeks at the time of booking
  • Neoplastic disease undergoing treatment or active follow-up
  • Current or previous history of sarcoidosis or collagen vascular disease
  • Any condition which would prevent completion of cycle-ergometer testing, Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) or 6 minute walk test (6-MWT) as judged by the investigator.
  • Participation in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) program in the last 6 months
  • Any condition excluding Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) based on the absolute contraindication as the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)/ American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines 2003 listed here: History of exercise induced syncope, Uncontrolled arrhythmia causing symptoms or hemodynamic compromise, Syncope, Acute endocarditis, Acute myocarditis or pericarditis, Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, Uncontrolled heart failure, History of acute venous thrombo-embolism, Suspected dissecting aneurysm, uncontrolled asthma, Pulmonary oedema, Mental impairment leading in ability to cooperate, Room air desaturation to <85% unless supplemental O2 is provided for exercise, Acute non-cardiopulmonary disorder that may affect exercise performance/ aggravated by exercise
  • Positive Pregnancy test in females of childbearing age.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Structured Responsive Exercise TrainingStructured Responsive Exercise Training8 week twice weekly supervised structured responsive static-cycle based exercise training. Training protocol used the same as Loughney et al. 2016
Standard of Care ArmUsual CareCompletion of outcome measures only
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in endurance time on fixed load cycle8 weeks

validated fixed load static cycling test at 75% peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) derived from derived from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) (seconds)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in Medical Research Council (MRC) Breathlessness Scale8 weeks

Validated breathlessness questionnaire for respiratory patients

Change from baseline in 6 - Minute Walk Test Distance8 weeks

Validated exercise capacity assessment for respiratory patients (meters)

Change from baseline in Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI)8 weeks

measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis a validated tool to access multiple parameters of body composition.

Change from baseline in Simplified nutritional appetite questionnaire (SNAQ) questionnaire8 weeks

A validated nutritional assessment tool. SNAQ 5-20 (20 better outcome)

Change from baseline in Revised Borg Breathlessness Score8 weeks

Validated breathlessness score for respiratory patients

Change from baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire -IPF (SGRQ-I)8 weeks

Validated health and quality of life questionnaire for patients with IPF

Change from baseline in Fat Mass Index (FMI)8 weeks

measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis a validated tool to access multiple parameters of body composition.

Change from baseline Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test variables8 weeks

A validated tool for access multiple parameters of exercise capacity measures including but not limited to; peak Oxygen consumption ml/kg/minute (VO2 peak), anaerobic threshold ml/kg/minute (AT) , volume of oxygen work rate relationship ml/watt (VO2/Work Rate)

Change from baseline in Phase Angle measured by8 weeks

measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis a validated tool to access multiple parameters of body composition.

Change from baseline in Skeletal Muscle Mass (kg)8 weeks

measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis a validated tool to access multiple parameters of body composition.

Change from baseline in Body Mass Index (kg/m2)8 weeks

weight (kg)/height (m)2.

Change from baseline in Council of Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ)8 weeks

A validated nutritional assessment tool. CNAQ Total Score 8-40 (40 better outcome)

Change from baseline in EQ-5D-5L8 Weeks

A validated global health related quality of life PROM. Total Score, Subsections (Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activity, Pain/Discomfort, Anxiety/Depression. Visual Analogue Scale (0-100)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital Southampton

🇬🇧

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath