https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-025-02625-4
1Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, Deutschland; 2Thoraxklinik - Heidelberg gGmbH Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin / Zentrum für Pulmonale Hypertonie Heidelberg, Deutschland
Objectives: Specialized exercise training was shown to improve exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The objective of this study was to investigate its effects on lung function parameters in PAH patients.
Methods: In this retrospective study clinical effects of a specialized exercise and respiratory training programme in PAH patients participating in training studies in Heidelberg were investigated. Data was derived from randomised controlled trials, controlled trials and cohort studies on exercise training of the study site. Follow-up data was collected after 3 weeks in-house and after 12 weeks of continuation of training at home. Control patients received the same clinical assessments without the rehabilitation training. Endpoints were changes in parameters of lung function, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, diffusion capacity and blood gas analysis.
Results: Data from 390 (control group: n=57, age 53.9±16.8 years, 56% female; training group: n=333, age 52.8±15.3 years, 72% female) patients were analysed. Patients receiving training showed significantly greater improvement in vital capacity (p=0.016) and partial oxygen pressure (p<0.05). Furthermore, peak oxygen uptake (p<0.001) and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) (p<0.001) significantly improved in the training compared to the control group. Intragroup analysis demonstrated significant improvement in FEV1 (p=0.028), total lung capacity (TLC) (p=0.045), oxygen saturation (p=0.003), oxygen partial pressure (p=0.001), NT-proBNP (p<0.001) and 6MWD (p<0.001) between baseline and follow-up after 3 weeks. Positive results were confirmed after three months for 6MWD (p<0.001), peak oxygen consumption (p<0.001) and in trend for TLC (p=0.067).
Conclusion: This study could support the hypothesis that a specialized exercise training has a positive impact on lung function parameters in patients with PAH. Further studies are needed to elaborate long-term effects.