The Efficacy Of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Combined With Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Training And Upper Extremities Exercises In Patients With Interstitial Lung Diseases

Abstract

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are regarded as crucial chronic lung diseases which are associated with progressive reduction in lung volume, limitations in gas exchange, and dysfunction of skeletal muscle which results in an increased perception of dyspnea, decreased of exercise capacity and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in ILD patients remained extremely unidentified with limited studies concerned with this problem. Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of PR program combined with threshold inspiratory muscle training and upper extremities exercises on exercise capacity, pulmonary function test (PFT), dyspnea and HRQoL in ILD patients. Patients and Methods: 60 participants diagnosed with ILD were enrolled between 2016 and 2019. The participants were arranged into two groups equal in number (each 30 participants); study group (A) who received PR accompanied with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) exercises using threshold device and upper extremities exercises in addition to medical treatment, whereas control group (B) received only PR and medical treatment. The program lasted for 8 weeks, three times per week. The outcome criteria included: 6-min walk test (6MWT), PFT, dyspnea (VAS), while HRQoL was measured via the short form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, moreover, oxygen saturation, all these criteria were evaluated before and after program application (eight weeks apart).Results: There was significant increase in the mean 6MWT distance, PFT, dyspnea and HRQoL after PR compared to baseline criteria within each group, moreover there was significant increase among the study group versus the control group. CONCLUSION: PR accompanied with threshold IMT and upper extremity exercises significantly improved exercise capacity, ventilatory functions, dyspnea and HRQoL in patients with ILD.