The Effects of Breathing Retraining in Patients With Interstitial Lung Diseases

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Breathing retraining has been reported to lead to improvements in dyspnoea and walking distance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Evidence regarding the effects of such an intervention in ILD patients is though lacking. In view of this, the aims of such a study were to identify whether breathing retraining led to better management of dyspnoea and improved walking distance in ILD patients.

Detailed Description
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One of the commonest symptoms experienced in patients with a diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is shortness of breath, a symptom which greatly affects their abilities to carry out activities of daily living. Breathing retraining has been reported to lead to improvements in dyspnoea and walking distance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Evidence regarding the effects of such an intervention in ILD patients is though lacking. In view of this, the aims of such a study were to identify whether breathing retraining led to better management of dyspnoea and improved walking distance in ILD patients. Twenty Seven ILD patients were randomly distributed to either the control group (n=15) which received a 12-week Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) programme without breathing retraining or the active group (n=12) which received a 12-week PR programme with breathing retraining. All patients had both the 6-minute walk test and their level of breathlessness assessed using the Dyspnoea Borg scale assessed at baseline and at 4 weekly intervals for a 12-week period throughout the programme.

Official Title
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The Effects of Breathing Retraining on Dyspnoea Measures and the Six-Minute Walking Distance in Patients With Interstitial Lung Diseases

Conditions
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Interstitial Lung Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Pulmonary Rehabilitation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ILD and who were referred for PR Exclusion Criteria: Patients who had musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting the outcome measures Patients who required oxygen therapy and did not accept administration Patients with unstable cardiovascular conditions Patients who were not willing to participate
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Control group<br>The control group consisted of 15 patients with a diagnosis of ILD. They received a 12-week Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) programme without breathing retraining All patients were medically stable and referred by their caring respiratory consultant | Behavioral: Pulmonary Rehabilitation<br>* A 12 week high intensity PR programme was delivered to both groups. The active group had additional breathing control interventions and exercises<br>* Other names: Respiratory Rehabilitation;|
| Experimental: Active group<br>The active group consisted of 15 patients with a diagnosis of ILD. They received a 12-week Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) programme with breathing retraining exercises. All patients were medically stable and referred by their caring respiratory consultant | Behavioral: Pulmonary Rehabilitation<br>* A 12 week high intensity PR programme was delivered to both groups. The active group had additional breathing control interventions and exercises<br>* Other names: Respiratory Rehabilitation;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 6 minute walk test | A walk test to examine exercise endurance | Change in walking distance from baseline to 12weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dyspnoea score | Borg scale | Change in dyspnoea measures from baseline to 12weeks |