Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients Gain Mixed Results From Exercise, According To Study

Individuals with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis are recommended to take on exercise training, however, the longer-term effects and benefits remain uncertain, according to researchers.  A new randomized controlled study was performed to determine the effects of exercise training and review of airway clearance therapy (ACT) on exercise capacity, quality of life and the incidence of acute exacerbations in individuals with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. 85 trial participants (mean FEV1 74% predicted; median Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea grade of 1 (IQR [1-3]) were randomly allocated to eight weeks of supervised training and review of ACT or control.  Baseline measurements included exercise capacity and HRQOL (Chronic respiratory disease questionnaire) and secondary outcomes of cough-related QOL (Leicester cough questionnaire), and psychological symptoms (Hospital anxiety and depression scale) as primary outcomes, following completion of the intervention period and at 6 and 12 months.  Exacerbation rate and time to first exacerbation were analyzed over 12 months as secondary outcomes. The researchers report that exercise training increased the incremental shuttle walk distance (mean difference to control 62 m, 95% CI 24 to 101 m) and the 6-minute walking distance (mean difference to control 41 m, 95% CI 19 to 63 m). However, these improvements were not sustained at 6 or 12 months. Exercise training reduced dyspnea (p = 0.009) and fatigue (p = 0.01) bu...
Source: Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide Blog - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Research and Discovery Source Type: blogs