Pulmonary hypertension and home-based (PHAHB) exercise intervention: protocol for a feasibility study.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatments improve survival but symptoms like dyspnea persist, impacting daily living and quality of life (QoL).
• Exercise training is a safe and effective adjunct therapy for PH patients, enhancing QoL and physical function.
• Current exercise programs are often hospital-based, limiting accessibility; home-based programs offer a potential solution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility, acceptability, utility, and safety of a novel remotely supervised home-based exercise program for PH patients.
• To assess the potential of home-based exercise to increase accessibility of exercise training in PH management.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm intervention study with pre/post comparisons and a follow-up maintenance phase.
• Twenty-five PH patients recruited from a specialized PH unit will participate.
• The program includes a 10-week supervised home-based exercise intervention with support and coaching, followed by a 10-week maintenance phase.

Main Results:

• Primary outcomes focus on feasibility, acceptability, utility, and safety of the home-based exercise program.
• Secondary outcomes will measure changes in exercise capacity, physical activity, strength, QoL, and exercise self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

• This study will provide crucial data on the viability of remotely supervised home-based exercise for PH patients.
• Findings could support the wider implementation of accessible exercise interventions to improve patient outcomes and QoL in pulmonary hypertension.