Short-Term Improvement in Physical Activity and Body Composition After Supervised Exercise Training Program in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Objective: To examine the effect of participating in a 12-week supervised exercise training (ET) program on physical activity and body composition in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Design: Randomized controlled trial assessing physical activity and body composition at baseline, after 12-week intervention, and at 11 months follow-up. Setting: Outpatient hospital. Participants: Patients with IPF (N=34; mean age, 68 8y) recruited for this study; 32 patients completed the 12-week intervention (ET group: n=15; control group: n=17) and 28 patients (14 in each group) reassessed at 11-month follow-up from baseline. Interventions: Participation in a 12-week supervised ET program or regular medical treatment. Main Outcome Measures: Changes in physical activity levels as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: After the 12-week intervention, physical activity levels were significantly increased in the ET group whereas the control group showed a trend toward deterioration (median difference between the groups, 2164MET-min/wk [interquartile range, 1576MET-min/wk]; MET = metabolic equivalent; P<.001). Body composition was also significantly improved in the ET group, whereas the control group showed an opposite trend. At 11-month follow-up, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in all variables. The ET group lost most of the achieved improvements in the outcomes and returned to near baseline levels, whereas the control group showed a trend toward worsened outcomes. Conclusions: Physical activity and body composition in patients with IPF were improved after a 12-week supervised ET program, although the benefits were not sustained at 11-month follow-up. These results may support the efficacy of participation in supervised ET to improve physical activity and body composition in patients with IPF; however, maintenance strategies are warranted to preserve the improved outcomes. (C) 2016 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine