An interventional study of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Downhill Walking in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), sponsored by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-16.
Sponsored by Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
In this study; will examine the effects of downhill walking (eccentric exercise training) on exercise capacity, quality of life, and blood lactate levels in individuals with IPF. After the initial assessment, patients will be randomized into two groups: downhill walking PR group and Standard PR Group.
Individuals diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who come to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of Istanbul Süreyyapaşa Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Education and Research Hospital will be included in this study. Those who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into two groups: Downhill Walking Pr Group (n=17) and Standard Pr Group (n=17). Patients will have exercise sessions twice a week for 8 weeks. Patients will be evaluated immediately before the rehabilitation program and the end of 8 weeks exercise programme. In our study, downhill walking training will differ from traditional walking training only in terms of treadmill training protocol. Traditional walking training involves walking on a motorized treadmill with a neutral incline, progressing with increases in speed, while downhill walking training will be performed at a constant -10% incline.
680 studies on the registry are indexed under Pulmonary Fibrosis; 119 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 34 is below the median of 50 across 419 interventional studies indexed under Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Browse Pulmonary Fibrosis studies →Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi is the lead sponsor of 430 studies on the registry; 137 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
A standard pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) exercise program will be implemented. Downhill treadmill walking will be included during walking sessions.
Other: Pulmonary Rehabilitation · Other: Downhill Walking
A standard pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) exercise program will be implemented. Walking will be performed on a treadmill without incline.
Other: Pulmonary Rehabilitation · Other: Treadmill Walking without incline
8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, Aerobic training will be provided as treadmill walking. It will be performed either downhill or on a flat treadmill, depending on the group. Warm-up and stretching exercises Resistance exercises will be performed with a load equivalent to 50% of 1 maximum repetition. 10 repetitions will be performed in sets, one set in each session. Based on the differences in the general condition of the patients, different workloads and modifications will be used when creating an exercise program for each patient. Resistance exercises will focus on both upper and lower extremity muscles.
Treadmill exercise will be applied for 30 minutes in the target heart rate range of 60-80% intensity. The target heart rate method will be used to determine the exercise intensity. Blood pressure, heart rate and Borg Perceived Exertion Scale scores will be monitored during the exercises. Downhill walking training will continue with a constant -10% incline.
Treadmill exercise will be applied for 30 minutes in the target heart rate range of 60-80% intensity. The target heart rate method will be used to determine the exercise intensity. Blood pressure, heart rate and Borg Perceived Exertion Scale scores will be monitored during the exercises. Traditional walking training will initially involve walking with a neutral incline.
6 Minutes Walking Distance (6MWD)
6 MWD means the distance the patient walked in 6 minute walk test. Its unit is meters.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Saint George Quality of life questionnaire
The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is designed to measure quality of life. Four scores are calculated Symptoms, Activity, Impacts, and Total. Saint George Respiratory Questionaire (SGRQ) score: The SGRQ ranges from 0 (no impairment of quality of life) to 100 (highest impairment of quality of life).
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Spirometric measurements (Forced vital capacity)
It is used to evaluate respiratory functions. It is evaluated with a spirometer. Forced vital capacity (FVC): the maximum amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after fully inhaling. It can be recorded in percentages or liters.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Spirometric measurements (First second forced expiratory volume)
It is used to evaluate respiratory functions. It is evaluated with a spirometer. First-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1): the amount of air that can be exhaled with force in 1 second. It can be recorded in percentages or liters.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Spirometric measurements (FEV1/FVC ratio)
It is used to evaluate respiratory functions. It is evaluated with a spirometer. It is calculated by dividing FEV1 by FVC. It is expressed as a percentage.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Peripheral muscle strength
Peripheral muscle strength will be assessed using a digital dynamometer. Quadriceps femoris muscle strength; will be measured by applying maximum resistance 2-3 cm above the ankle malleolus of the patients in a sitting position using an digital dynamometer.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Hand grip strength
Hand grip strength will be assessed in a sitting position. During the test, the arm will be measured next to the body, with the shoulder adducted, the elbows flexed at 90°, the forearm and wrist in a neutral position, and patients will be asked to grip and release the dynamometer as strongly as possible, and the measurement will be repeated 3 times on both dominant and non-dominant extremities and the averages will be recorded. A one-minute rest will be given between each trial.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Score
Modified Medical Council Dyspnea score will rate the sensation of dyspnea as the person perceives it.The severity of dyspnea is rated on a scale of 0 to 4."0 point" means no dyspnea perception and "4point" means severe dyspnea perception.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Fatigue severity scale
Fatigue levels of individuals will be assessed with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The FSS consists of 9 questions scored using a 7-point Likert scale, indicating a perception of fatigue that may require medical intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS)
A scale consisting of 14 items developed by Zigmond and Snaith. Seven of these items evaluate anxiety symptoms and seven evaluate depression symptoms. The items in the scale are evaluated with a 4-point Likert scale and are based on a scoring system between 0-3.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Determination of blood lactate level
Blood lactate level will be measured by fingertip sample using a portable lactate meter after a standardized exercise protocol applied before and after the intervention. Blood samples will be recorded in mmol/L after being analyzed by the device.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity
Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) is the measurement of the passage of carbon monoxide gas in inspired air into the lung capillary blood. Diffusion test is performed in the pulmonary function test laboratory.
Time frame: Baseline and the end of the 8 weeks exercise program
Plan to share: No
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Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi