A Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial of Exercise Training in Pulmonary Hypertension in European Countries
NCT ID: NCT03345212
Last Updated: 2019-12-19
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
129 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2016-02-29
2019-12-31
Brief Summary
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Despite optimized combination-medical therapy most patients remain symptomatic, have reduced exercise capacity, quality of life and reduced survival rates, with an annual mortality rate of approximately 5 -15 % or even higher.
Previous training studies have suggested that exercise training as add-on to medical treatment is highly effective improving exercise capacity, quality of life and symptoms.
The current guidelines recommend exercise training only in specialized centres including both PH and rehabilitation specialists who are experienced in exercise training of severely compromised patients.
A specialized PH-training program has been performed in Heidelberg since 2003 including \>1200 patients with various forms of chronic PH. The exercise training program is performed in a special setting with an in-hospital start of the rehabilitation program. It is characterized by a low-dose closely supervised exercise training in small groups with additional psychological support and mental training.
This training program for patients with PH will be implemented in European centers to add exercise training to the existing PH therapies. The effect of the training on physical exercise capacity will be assessed by 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD). Further clinical parameters will be assessed to evaluate the effect on exercise capacity, quality of life and symptoms.
The aim of this study is to guide European PH-centers to become specialized centers for training in PH.
126 patients will be included, who either receive exercise training or continue their daily sedentary life style (1:1 randomization) for 15 weeks.
As inpatient settings are not available in all healthcare systems the training program will be adapted from the specific training program for PH patients developed in Heidelberg to a procedure, which is feasible in the local participating centres. Another objective of this study is to assess if the particular adopted training program specified for each participating centre and country is still safe and effective.
Detailed Description
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Within the last years there has been a huge progress in the scientific fields of genetics, pathogenesis, pathophysiology and therapy of PH. This has also been documented in the PH world conferences. New disease-targeted medication has been developed such as endothelin receptor antagonists (bosentan, ambrisentan, sitaxentan, macitentan), prostacyclin derivates (inhaled and intravenous iloprost, epoprostenol, treprostinil), phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil) and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor riociguat. Despite these advances in treatment, the disease may not be treated causally or even be cured. In most cases however, disease progression may be slowed down. The use of PH-targeted treatment and supporting therapies such as anticoagulation and diuretics improve the symptoms and impede the progression of the disease. Nevertheless, the prognosis of the patients remains impaired. The first randomized controlled study investigating the effect of exercise training in PH showed a significant improvement of exercise capacity and quality of life. Further uncontrolled trials using a low-dose exercise and respiratory therapy in different etiologies of PH showed an improvement in exercise capacity, quality of life, muscle function and further prognostic parameters. A recent randomized controlled study could support these findings. Studies also showed an improvement in muscle capillarization of the quadriceps muscle.
The training program consists of interval ergometer training, respiratory therapy, muscle training and mental gait training. The interval ergometer training allows performing aerobic exercise training with a low cardio-circulatory stress. In patients with left heart insufficiency, this training has been successfully implemented. Respiratory therapy has been established in the rehabilitation of patients with lung disease within the last years. The different techniques aim to improve ventilation, strengthen the respiratory muscles, mobilize the thorax and enhance secretolysis. The training program also contains mental (gait) training. This training was adapted from mental imagery techniques used by sport psychologists in professional athletes. Mental imagery techniques have shown to improve physical and cognitive functions.
Due to the beneficial results, exercise training and rehabilitation has received a 1A recommendation at the PH world symposium in Nice in 2013. This decision was mainly based on three randomized controlled trials that investigated a limited number of patients. To unequivocally demonstrate safety and positive effects of exercise training in different settings large multicenter RCTs are essential. An exercise program has not yet been implemented in most European countries, partly due to limited access to rehabilitation programs and institutions.
The aim of this large, multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effect of exercise training and rehabilitation on physical exercise capacity across different European countries. Physical exercise capacity will be measured by exercise induced change of 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD) compared to baseline and the control group without training. As inpatient settings are not available in all healthcare systems the training program will be adapted from the specific training program for PH patients developed in Heidelberg in a system, which is feasible for the local participating centres. Another objective of this study is to assess if the adopted training program specified for each participating centre and country is still safe and effective.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
DIAGNOSTIC
NONE
Study Groups
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Control group
Patients in this group continue their sedentary life-style throughout the study period. Patients will be advised to perform no specific exercise training during the trial. After 15 weeks, the patients are offered to take part in the training program as well.
No interventions assigned to this group
Training group
Standard rehabilitation therapy includes dietary measures, massages and relaxation techniques. Additionally, patients perform exercise and respiratory therapy and mental gait training.
Patients will be informed about group allocation.
Exercise training
The rehabilitation program comprises interval ergometer training, dumbbell training, respiratory therapy, mental training and guided walks for 5-7 times/week.
Interventions
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Exercise training
The rehabilitation program comprises interval ergometer training, dumbbell training, respiratory therapy, mental training and guided walks for 5-7 times/week.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* WHO functional class II-IV
* PH diagnosed by right heart catheter showing:
* Baseline mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥ 25 mmHg
* Baseline pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ≥ 240 dyn x s x cm-5
* Baseline pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≤ 15 mm Hg
* Patients receiving optimized conventional PH therapy including intensified treatment with diuretics and who have been stable for 2 months before entering the study
* Except for diuretics, medical treatment should not be expected to change during the entire 15-week study period
* Negative pregnancy test (β-HCG) at the start of the trial and appropriate contraception throughout the study for women with child-bearing potential
* Able to understand and willing to sign the Informed Consent Form
Exclusion Criteria
* Pregnancy
* Patients with signs of right heart decompensation
* Walking disability
* Acute infection
* Pyrexia
* Any change in disease-targeted therapy within the last 2 months
* Any subject who is scheduled to receive an investigational drug during the course of this study
* Severe lung disease: FEV1/FVC \<0.5 and total lung capacity \< 70% of the normal value
* Active liver disease, porphyria or elevations of serum transaminases \>3 x ULN (upper limit of normal) or bilirubin \> 1.5 x ULN
* Hemoglobin concentration of less than 75 % of the lower limit of normal
* Systolic blood pressure \< 85 mmHg
* Active myocarditis, instable angina pectoris, exercise induced ventricular arrhythmias, decompensated heart failure, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, highly impaired left ventricular function
* History or suspicion of inability to cooperate adequately. will be excluded from the study.
* Acute psychosis or other states of mind, which seem to impair patient's ability to comprehend instructions
* Patients with metal cardiac valves or other metal implants, incorporated ferromagnetic materials or MRI-incompatible active medicinal products
* Claustrophobia
18 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Heidelberg University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Prof. Dr. med. Ekkehard Gruenig
Prof. Dr. med.
Principal Investigators
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Ekkehard Grünig, MD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Centre for pulmonary hypertension of the Thoraxclinic at the University Hospital Heidelberg
Locations
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Centre for pulmonary hypertension of the Thoraxclinic at the University Hospital Heidelberg
Heidelberg, , Germany
Countries
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References
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Mereles D, Ehlken N, Kreuscher S, Ghofrani S, Hoeper MM, Halank M, Meyer FJ, Karger G, Buss J, Juenger J, Holzapfel N, Opitz C, Winkler J, Herth FF, Wilkens H, Katus HA, Olschewski H, Grunig E. Exercise and respiratory training improve exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with severe chronic pulmonary hypertension. Circulation. 2006 Oct 3;114(14):1482-9. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.618397. Epub 2006 Sep 18.
Grunig E, Ehlken N, Ghofrani A, Staehler G, Meyer FJ, Juenger J, Opitz CF, Klose H, Wilkens H, Rosenkranz S, Olschewski H, Halank M. Effect of exercise and respiratory training on clinical progression and survival in patients with severe chronic pulmonary hypertension. Respiration. 2011;81(5):394-401. doi: 10.1159/000322475. Epub 2011 Feb 9.
Grunig E, Lichtblau M, Ehlken N, Ghofrani HA, Reichenberger F, Staehler G, Halank M, Fischer C, Seyfarth HJ, Klose H, Meyer A, Sorichter S, Wilkens H, Rosenkranz S, Opitz C, Leuchte H, Karger G, Speich R, Nagel C. Safety and efficacy of exercise training in various forms of pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J. 2012 Jul;40(1):84-92. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00123711. Epub 2012 Feb 9.
Grunig E, Maier F, Ehlken N, Fischer C, Lichtblau M, Blank N, Fiehn C, Stockl F, Prange F, Staehler G, Reichenberger F, Tiede H, Halank M, Seyfarth HJ, Wagner S, Nagel C. Exercise training in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases. Arthritis Res Ther. 2012 Jun 18;14(3):R148. doi: 10.1186/ar3883.
Nagel C, Prange F, Guth S, Herb J, Ehlken N, Fischer C, Reichenberger F, Rosenkranz S, Seyfarth HJ, Mayer E, Halank M, Grunig E. Exercise training improves exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with inoperable or residual chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e41603. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041603. Epub 2012 Jul 25.
Becker-Grunig T, Klose H, Ehlken N, Lichtblau M, Nagel C, Fischer C, Gorenflo M, Tiede H, Schranz D, Hager A, Kaemmerer H, Miera O, Ulrich S, Speich R, Uiker S, Grunig E. Efficacy of exercise training in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease. Int J Cardiol. 2013 Sep 20;168(1):375-81. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.09.036. Epub 2012 Oct 5.
Halank M, Einsle F, Lehman S, Bremer H, Ewert R, Wilkens H, Meyer FJ, Grunig E, Seyfarth HJ, Kolditz M, Wieder G, Hoffken G, Kollner V. Exercise capacity affects quality of life in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Lung. 2013 Aug;191(4):337-43. doi: 10.1007/s00408-013-9472-6. Epub 2013 May 17.
Kabitz HJ, Bremer HC, Schwoerer A, Sonntag F, Walterspacher S, Walker DJ, Ehlken N, Staehler G, Windisch W, Grunig E. The combination of exercise and respiratory training improves respiratory muscle function in pulmonary hypertension. Lung. 2014 Apr;192(2):321-8. doi: 10.1007/s00408-013-9542-9. Epub 2013 Dec 13.
Ehlken N, Lichtblau M, Klose H, Weidenhammer J, Fischer C, Nechwatal R, Uiker S, Halank M, Olsson K, Seeger W, Gall H, Rosenkranz S, Wilkens H, Mertens D, Seyfarth HJ, Opitz C, Ulrich S, Egenlauf B, Grunig E. Exercise training improves peak oxygen consumption and haemodynamics in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and inoperable chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Eur Heart J. 2016 Jan 1;37(1):35-44. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehv337. Epub 2015 Jul 31.
Other Identifiers
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EU-TRAIN-01
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id