Beneficial Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

National Jewish Health

Status: Completed

Conditions: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Treatments: Other: Standard pulmonary rehabilitation program

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT01107028

NJ230

K23HL092227-01A2 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease marked by progressive lung scarring leading to multiple life-altering sequelae. The over-arching goals of the principal investigator's research program are to more fully characterize these sequelae and to examine interventions that might improve them. The hypotheses of this particular study are that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is one such intervention, and that PR will improve the sequelae of dyspnea and impairments in functional capacity, cognition, mood and anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with IPF.

Full description

Subjects will come to our center to be enrolled. Baseline data collection (performance of a six-minute walk test and completion of questionnaires) and randomization to one of two groups--either Rehab or Wait--will take place at the same enrollment visit if time permits. Subjects in either group will complete pulmonary rehabilitation, just at slightly different times, depending on which group they are randomized to.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program run by respiratory and/or physical therapists and other health professionals that involves exercise, education, and support with the goals to improve functional capacity, symptom management, and well-being. It will last 6-8 weeks, during which time, subjects will complete 18 approximately hour-long sessions. Pulmonary rehabilitation may be completed at any local center that makes travel convenient.

Data collection visits will take place at National Jewish Health at baseline, eight weeks (without intervening pulmonary rehabilitation in the Wait group), after completion of pulmonary rehabilitation (time varies, depending on the randomization group), and finally six months after completion of the pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Enrollment: 41 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age > 40 years
• IPF
• Able to walk unassisted for balance
• Able to speak and understand English well enough to complete complex tasks with directions given in English

Exclusion criteria

• Pulmonary fibrosis not due to IPF
• Coexisting comorbid conditions that would make exercise contraindicated

Trial design

41 participants in 2 patient groups

Rehab

Description:

Subjects randomized to the Rehab group will have data collected at baseline and then within one week enroll in a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Data will again be collected within one week of completing pulmonary rehabilitation and again six months later.

Treatment:

Other: Standard pulmonary rehabilitation program

Wait

Description:

Subjects randomized to the Wait group will have data collected at baseline and wait eight weeks before enrolling in a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Data will again be collected within one week of completing pulmonary rehabilitation and again six months later.

Treatment:

Other: Standard pulmonary rehabilitation program