Physiological and physical changes following pulmonary rehabilitation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Physiological and physical changes in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) following an eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation program
IRAS ID
206031
Contact name
Michael J Lewis
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and life-threatening condition characterised by fibrotic pulmonary changes (restriction and stiffening of the lungs as healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue). IPF causes a gradual decline in lung function accompanied by worsening breathlessness, and respiratory failure is the most likely cause of death in these patients. Whilst new therapies which slow the decline in lung function have recently become available, there is still no cure for IPF, which has a median survival time of three years. National guidelines recommend that oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and palliative care should be offered to IPF patients when appropriate (NICE, 2013). Although there is ample evidence that PR is beneficial in patients with obstructive lung disease (such as emphysema) its relevance in IPF is less clear.
The aim of this study is therefore to determine whether there are measurable changes in heart and lung function in IPF patients following PR.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
16/WA/0272
Date of REC Opinion
11 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion