Exercise Capacity and Physical Activity in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis after a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Home-Based Programme: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: Patients with chronic respiratory disease have low exercise capacity and limited physical activity (PA), which is associated with worsening dyspnoea, exacerbations, and quality of life. The literature regarding patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (non-CF BQ) is scarce, especially regarding the use of cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) to assess the effects of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programmes (HPRP). The aim was to evaluate the effect of an HPRP on the exercise capacity of non-CF BQ patients using CPET and PA using an accelerometer. Methods: Our study describes a non-pharmacological clinical trial in non-CF BQ patients at the Virgen Macarena University Hospital (Seville, Spain). The patients were randomised into two groups: a control group (CG), which received general advice on PA and educational measures, and the intervention group (IG), which received a specific 8-week HPRP with two hospital sessions. The variables included were those collected in the CPET, the accelerometer, and others such as a 6 min walking test (6MWT) and dyspnoea. The data were collected at baseline and at an 8-week follow-up. Results: After the intervention, there was a significant increase in peak VO2 in the IG, which was not evidenced in the GC (IG 66.8 +/- 15.5 mL/min p = 0.001 vs. CG 62.2 +/- 14.14 mL/min, p = 0.30). As well, dyspnoea according to the mMRC (modified Medical Research Council), improved significantly in IG (2.19 +/- 0.57 to 1.72 +/- 0.05, p = 0.047) vs. CG (2.07 +/- 0.7 to 2.13 +/- 0.64, p = 0.36). In addition, differences between the groups in walked distance (IG 451.19 +/- 67.99 m, p = 0.001 vs. CG 433.13 +/- 75.88 m, p = 0.981) and in physical activity (IG 6591 +/- 3482 steps, p = 0.007 vs. CG 4824 +/- 3113 steps, p = 0.943) were found. Conclusion: Participation in a specific HPRP improves exercise capacity, dyspnoea, walked distance, and PA in non-CF BQ patients.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that participation in a specific home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program can improve exercise capacity, dyspnea, walked distance, and physical activity in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.