Aerobic Exercise Training in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Decreased exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength and quality of life and increased dyspnea and fatigue perception is prevalent in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. It was demonstrated exercise training has beneficial effects in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, no study investigated the effects of upper extremity aerobic exercise training, therefore effects of upper extremity aerobic exercise training on outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Detailed Description
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Patients were diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension according to the Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension of f the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Respiratory Society (ERS). Primary outcome measurement was exercise capacity, secondary outcomes were respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, physical activity, quality of life, fatigue, dyspnea and depression.

Official Title
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Effects of Upper Extremity Aerobic Exercise Training on Functional Exercise Capacity in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Conditions
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Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Upper extremity aerobic exercise training
* Other: Alternative upper extremity exercises


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Clinically stable Under standard medication Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension patients Having no exacerbation or infection Exclusion Criteria: Cognitive disorders Orthopedic and neurological problems Pneumonia or acute infection Stage 4 heart failure Having no comorbidity to avoid performing evaluation and training

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

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: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Training Group<br>Intervention:Training group will receive upper extremity aerobic exercise training using arm ergometer and breathing exercises. | Other: Upper extremity aerobic exercise training<br>* Training group will receive upper extremity aerobic exercise training using arm ergometer at 50-80% of maximal heart rate and breathing exercises. Training will exercise with arm ergometer 3days/week, for 6 weeks with the assistance of a physiotherapist. Training workload will be undercontrol both using target heart rate and Modified Borg dyspnea scale. Training group will also perform breathing exercises 120 times/day, 7 days/week, for 6 weeks.<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Control Group<br>Sham: Control group will receive alternative upper extremity exercises and breathing exercises. | Other: Alternative upper extremity exercises<br>* Control group will receive alternative upper extremity exercises and breathing exercises. Control group will perform alternative upper extremity exercises 3days/week, for 6 weeks and also breathing exercises 120 times/day, 7 days/week, for 6 weeks. Control group will be followed-up by telephone once a week.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Functional exercise capacity (Oxygen consumption measurement during test) | Six minute walk test (6MWT) | 6 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maximum inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) | Mouth pressure device | 6 weeks | 
| Peripheral muscle strength | Hand held dynamometer | 6 weeks | 
| Pulmonary functions | Spirometry | 6 week | 
| Physical activity | Activity monitor | 6 weeks | 
| Dyspnea | Modified Borg and Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scales | 6 weeks | 
| Fatigue | Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) | 6 weeks | 
| Generic quality of life | Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey | 6 weeks | 
| Depression | Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (Turkish versions of all scales) | 6 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pulmonary arterial hypertension, aerobic exercise training, upper extremity, exercise capacity