New pulmonary rehabilitation exercise for pulmonary fibrosis to improve the pulmonary function and quality of life of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a randomized control trial

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study is to investigate the impact of the simple breathing exercises (LHP's respiratory rehabilitation for pulmonary fibrosis, LHP's RRPF) on patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: (I) The safety and effectiveness of LHP's RRPF were first verified in 20 healthy individuals. (II) A total of 101 patients with IPF administrated in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between January 2015 and May 2017 were screened, and 82 cases were randomly assigned to receive a 12-month LHP's RRPF program (exercise group) or usual medical care (control group). Lung function, chest X-ray, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, SGRQ), and EKG were measured at the 6th and 12th month during the trial. RESULTS: At the 6th month visit, the exercise group showed improved SGRQ score and lung function parameters (FVC, FEV1, and DLCO). At the 12th months visit, the exercise group had significantly improved SGRQ score, 6MWD, and lung function (FVC, FEV1, and DLCO) compared to the control group (P<0.05). No obvious adverse events occurred in the exercise group. The incidence of acute exacerbation and one-year mortality were 7.69% and 2.56%, respectively in the exercise group, which were lower than those (20.9% and 9.3%, respectively) in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: LHP's RRPF can delay the pulmonary function decline of patients with IPF and improve their quality of life. This breathing exercise may be an adjunct to pulmonary rehabilitation for IPF.