Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of exercise training in pulmonary hypertension (ExTra_PH)

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Exercise training is crucial for chronic cardiac and respiratory conditions.
• High-quality studies on exercise training in pulmonary hypertension (PH) are limited.
• This study addresses the need for evidence on exercise's role in PH management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term and long-term effectiveness of exercise training in PH patients.
• To assess the impact of exercise on exercise capacity, quality of life, cardiac function, and disease progression.
• To determine the safety and benefits of an 8-week outpatient supervised exercise program for PH.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 50 medically stable PH patients (NYHA class II-III).
• Participants were randomized to supervised exercise training or usual care for 8 weeks.
• Outcomes measured include exercise capacity, cardiac function (including exercise CMRI), quality of life, and clinical worsening over a 2-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• (Study results are pending publication)

Conclusions:

• This study will determine the safety and efficacy of outpatient supervised exercise training in PH patients.
• It will provide novel insights into exercise's impact on right heart function using exercise CMRI.
• Findings will inform clinical practice guidelines and enhance understanding of exercise benefits in PH.