CPEX in children with CF v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to assess the effect of a community based exercise programme on the aerobic fitness of children with cystic fibrosis
IRAS ID
247465
Contact name
Rebecca Thursfield
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Alder Hey Children's NHS Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN00000000
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Exercise is a very important part of maintaining good respiratory health in persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). Collaboration with Liverpool Football Club (LFC) will allow children to be able to participate in exercise regimes close to their home. Maintaining respiratory health is of paramount importance to persons with CF as despite improvements in treatments, median age of death is still only 31 years (UK CF registry data, 2016) and the leading cause of death is respiratory disease. The proportion of people with CF using exercise as part of their respiratory physiotherapy regime has increased from 37% in 2015 to 57% in 2016 (UK CF registry data, 2016) demonstrating increasing recognition of the importance of exercise. \nThe aim of this study is to establish if this exercise programme leads to an improvement in aerobic fitness and in lung function in children/young people with cystic fibrosis. \nAll children aged 6 years and over have been invited to participate in the community based exercise programme done in collaboration with LFC. The children will meet LFC staff at Alder Hey hospital and be introduced to a variety of sports that can be accessed in the community. Each child can then opt to participate in a tailored exercise programme.\nAll children participating in this exercise programme will be invited to participate in this research study. Participates will perform spirometry in the usual manner, as they do each clinic visit. They will also perform CPEX testing; this is another physiological investigation and is the gold standard for assessing aerobic fitness by measuring an outcome called VO2 max. Following the application of ECG electrodes to the chest, the participant performs spirometry then wears a mask whilst exercising on an exercise bike. \nEach participant will perform spirometry and CPEX both before and after the 6 month community exercise programme in order to assess if there has been an improvement in overall fitness. The results of the study will allow us to know how beneficial implementing person-centred exercise regimes close to home is. \n \n
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0138
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion