Evaluation of the Diaphragmatic Index Before and After a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Patients With Interstitial Lung Diseases and Its Impact on Quality of Life

NCT ID: NCT07205627

Last Updated: 2025-10-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

20 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-25

Study Completion Date

2025-12-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Interstitial lung diseases cause scarring and stiffness of the lungs, leading to impaired breathing and reduced quality of life. The diaphragm, the main respiratory muscle, may become weakened in these patients. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program that includes exercise, education, and support to improve physical capacity and overall well-being.

This study will evaluate whether an eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation program improves the diaphragmatic index (measured by ultrasound), quality of life, exercise tolerance (through functional tests), muscle strength, and dyspnea perception in patients with interstitial lung diseases.

Participants will be recruited at the Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde" between July and December 2025. The findings will provide new insights into the impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on diaphragmatic function and contribute scientific evidence to optimize the treatment of these conditions.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

This is a prospective longitudinal before-after study designed to evaluate the impact of a structured pulmonary rehabilitation program on diaphragmatic function and patient-reported outcomes in individuals with interstitial lung diseases (ILD).

A minimum of 20 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ILD by pulmonology and imaging criteria will be enrolled. Baseline assessments will include:

Diaphragmatic index measured by ultrasound (thickness and excursion during inspiration and expiration).

Quality of life using the SF-12, or 36 or Saint George questionnaire. Exercise tolerance assessed by functional tests (4-meter gait speed, sit-to-stand, and timed up-and-go, 6 minutes walking test).

Muscle strength measured with hand dynamometry. Dyspnea evaluated using the Borg scale or mMRC.

Participants will undergo an 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation program consisting of 2-3 supervised sessions per week. The program will include:

Aerobic training tailored to individual tolerance. Muscle strengthening exercises. Breathing techniques and inspiratory muscle conditioning. Patient education and self-management strategies. All variables will be reassessed after completion of the rehabilitation program. The primary outcome is the change in diaphragmatic index. Secondary outcomes include changes in exercise tolerance, quality of life, muscle strength, and dyspnea perception.

This study will be conducted at the Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde" between July and December 2025. The findings are expected to provide novel evidence regarding the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on diaphragmatic function in ILD and may support the development of standardized national guidelines to optimize patient care.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Lung Disease Interstitial Diffuse

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

This is a prospective, randomized interventional study with a before-after design. Patients with interstitial lung disease will be randomly assigned (simple randomization) to either the pulmonary rehabilitation program or usual care. The intervention consists of an 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation program with 2-3 supervised sessions per week, including aerobic and strength training, breathing techniques, inspiratory muscle conditioning, and patient education.

Allocation: Randomized (simple). Intervention Model: Parallel assignment. Masking: None (open-label). Primary Purpose: Treatment. Primary Outcome: Change in diaphragmatic index Secondary Outcomes: Quality of life , exercise tolerance, muscle strength , and dyspnea.

This design will evaluate the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation compared with usual care in improving diaphragmatic function and clinical outcome
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Rehabilitation program

Type of Intervention: Behavioral (Rehabilitation Program) Description: Participants will undergo an 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation program, 2-3 supervised sessions per week. The program includes aerobic training, muscle strengthening, breathing techniques, inspiratory muscle conditioning, and patient education. All sessions will be tailored to individual tolerance and supervised by rehabilitation specialists.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Rehabilitation program

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will complete an 8-week structured pulmonary rehabilitation program, delivered in 2-3 supervised sessions per week at the Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde". Each session will last 60-90 minutes and include the following components:

Aerobic Training: Walking or cycling at 60-80% of maximum workload, progressively adjusted based on tolerance.

Strength Training: Resistance exercises for major muscle groups (upper and lower limbs), 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, individualized according to baseline strength.

Breathing Techniques: Diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, plus thoracic expansion exercises.

Inspiratory Muscle Conditioning: Threshold device training at 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), with progressive increments.

Education Sessions: Information on disease self-management, energy conservation, medication adherence, and lifestyle recommendations.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Rehabilitation program

Participants will complete an 8-week structured pulmonary rehabilitation program, delivered in 2-3 supervised sessions per week at the Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde". Each session will last 60-90 minutes and include the following components:

Aerobic Training: Walking or cycling at 60-80% of maximum workload, progressively adjusted based on tolerance.

Strength Training: Resistance exercises for major muscle groups (upper and lower limbs), 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, individualized according to baseline strength.

Breathing Techniques: Diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing, plus thoracic expansion exercises.

Inspiratory Muscle Conditioning: Threshold device training at 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), with progressive increments.

Education Sessions: Information on disease self-management, energy conservation, medication adherence, and lifestyle recommendations.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Age ≥ 18 years.
* Confirmed diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) by pulmonology and imaging criteria.
* Clinically stable for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment (no exacerbations or hospitalizations).
* Able to perform pulmonary rehabilitation and functional tests safely, as determined by medical evaluation.
* Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

* Acute exacerbation of ILD or respiratory infection within the last 4 weeks.
* Severe comorbidities limiting participation (e.g., unstable cardiac disease, uncontrolled hypertension, recent myocardial infarction \< 3 months).
* Advanced neuromuscular disease or musculoskeletal limitation that prevents exercise training.
* Cognitive impairment or psychiatric condition interfering with protocol adherence.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Hospital Civil de Guadalajara

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Emmanuel Mercado Nuñez

Dr. Emmanuel Mercado Nuñez

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Armando Tonatiuh Avila Garcia, Master Degree

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Hospital Civil de Guadalajara

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Department of Physical Rehabilitation at the Civil Hospital of Guadalajara

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Mexico

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Emmanuel Mercado Nuñez Dr- Mercado, Fellowship

Role: CONTACT

+52 3330584121

José Antonio Pantoja, Speciality

Role: CONTACT

+52 3339459211

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Emmanuel Mercado, Fellowship

Role: primary

3339424400 ext. 43038

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Kataoka K, Nishiyama O, Ogura T, Mori Y, Kozu R, Arizono S, Tsuda T, Tomioka H, Tomii K, Sakamoto K, Ishimoto H, Kagajo M, Ito H, Ichikado K, Sasano H, Eda S, Arita M, Goto Y, Hataji O, Fuke S, Shintani R, Hasegawa H, Ando M, Ogawa T, Shiraishi M, Watanabe F, Nishimura K, Sasaki T, Miyazaki S, Saka H, Kondoh Y; FITNESS study Collaborators. Long-term effect of pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax. 2023 Aug;78(8):784-791. doi: 10.1136/thorax-2022-219792. Epub 2023 Apr 3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37012071 (View on PubMed)

Dowman LM, Holland AE. Pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2024 Sep 1;30(5):516-522. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000001094. Epub 2024 Jul 3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38958566 (View on PubMed)

Shen L, Zhang Y, Su Y, Weng D, Zhang F, Wu Q, Chen T, Li Q, Zhou Y, Hu Y, Jiang X, Jin X, Zhang A, Li H. 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. Ann Palliat Med. 2021 Jul;10(7):7289-7297. doi: 10.21037/apm-21-71.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34353031 (View on PubMed)

Bahmer T, Kirsten AM, Waschki B, Rabe KF, Magnussen H, Kirsten D, Gramm M, Hummler S, Brunnemer E, Kreuter M, Watz H. Prognosis and longitudinal changes of physical activity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. BMC Pulm Med. 2017 Jul 25;17(1):104. doi: 10.1186/s12890-017-0444-0.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28743305 (View on PubMed)

Troy LK, Young IH, Lau EM, Corte TJ. Exercise pathophysiology and the role of oxygen therapy in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Respirology. 2016 Aug;21(6):1005-14. doi: 10.1111/resp.12650. Epub 2015 Sep 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26416262 (View on PubMed)

Spruit MA, Singh SJ, Garvey C, ZuWallack R, Nici L, Rochester C, Hill K, Holland AE, Lareau SC, Man WD, Pitta F, Sewell L, Raskin J, Bourbeau J, Crouch R, Franssen FM, Casaburi R, Vercoulen JH, Vogiatzis I, Gosselink R, Clini EM, Effing TW, Maltais F, van der Palen J, Troosters T, Janssen DJ, Collins E, Garcia-Aymerich J, Brooks D, Fahy BF, Puhan MA, Hoogendoorn M, Garrod R, Schols AM, Carlin B, Benzo R, Meek P, Morgan M, Rutten-van Molken MP, Ries AL, Make B, Goldstein RS, Dowson CA, Brozek JL, Donner CF, Wouters EF; ATS/ERS Task Force on Pulmonary Rehabilitation. An official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement: key concepts and advances in pulmonary rehabilitation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2013 Oct 15;188(8):e13-64. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201309-1634ST.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24127811 (View on PubMed)

Capparelli I, Fernandez M, Saadia Otero M, Steimberg J, Brassesco M, Campobasso A, Palacios S, Caro F, Alberti ML, Rabinovich RA, Paulin F. Translation to Spanish and Validation of the Specific Saint George's Questionnaire for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Arch Bronconeumol (Engl Ed). 2018 Feb;54(2):68-73. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2017.09.004. Epub 2017 Nov 2. English, Spanish.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29102341 (View on PubMed)

Perez-Bogerd S, Wuyts W, Barbier V, Demeyer H, Van Muylem A, Janssens W, Troosters T. Short and long-term effects of pulmonary rehabilitation in interstitial lung diseases: a randomised controlled trial. Respir Res. 2018 Sep 20;19(1):182. doi: 10.1186/s12931-018-0884-y.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30236104 (View on PubMed)

Dowman L, Hill CJ, May A, Holland AE. Pulmonary rehabilitation for interstitial lung disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Feb 1;2(2):CD006322. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006322.pub4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34559419 (View on PubMed)

Coates RJ, Bowen DJ, Kristal AR, Feng Z, Oberman A, Hall WD, George V, Lewis CE, Kestin M, Davis M, Evans M, Grizzle JE, Clifford CK. The Women's Health Trial Feasibility Study in Minority Populations: changes in dietary intakes. Am J Epidemiol. 1999 Jun 15;149(12):1104-12. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a009764.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10369504 (View on PubMed)

Martínez-Briseño, David, García-Sancho, Cecilia, Fernández-Plata, Rosario, Franco-Marina, Francisco, Torre-Bouscuolet, Luis, & Pérez-Padilla, José Rogelio. (2014). Tendencia de la mortalidad por enfermedades intersticiales en México, período 2000-2010. Neumología y cirugía de tórax, 73(3), 179-184. Recuperado en 25 de septiembre de 2025, de http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0028-37462014000300004&lng=es&tlng=es.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Perez-Padilla JR, Thirion-Romero I, Robles-Hernandez R, Cagney J, Razo C, Rios-Blancas MJ. Respiratory diseases in Mexico: analysis from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021. Gac Med Mex. 2023;159(6):582-595. doi: 10.24875/GMM.M24000840.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38386883 (View on PubMed)

Althobiani MA, Russell AM, Jacob J, Ranjan Y, Folarin AA, Hurst JR, Porter JC. Interstitial lung disease: a review of classification, etiology, epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Apr 18;11:1296890. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1296890. eCollection 2024.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38698783 (View on PubMed)

Santana PV, Cardenas LZ, de Albuquerque ALP, de Carvalho CRR, Caruso P. Diaphragmatic ultrasound findings correlate with dyspnea, exercise tolerance, health-related quality of life and lung function in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease. BMC Pulm Med. 2019 Oct 21;19(1):183. doi: 10.1186/s12890-019-0936-1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31638951 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

CEI 1167/25

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Pulmonary Outcomes on Patients With Lung Fibrosis
NCT07088185 ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING NA