The NIH Exercise Therapy for Advanced Lung Disease Trials: Response and Adaptation to Aerobic Exercise in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the result of over 200 etiological pathways arising from several different insults to the lung parenchyma: inhaled substances, drug side effects, connective tissue disease, infection, and malignancy. The disease can also be of idiopathic origin. If prolonged, the resulting inflammation causes permanent and progressive fibrotic reorganization of the parenchyma and small airways, which reduces the distensibility of the lung and impedes O2 and carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange. This study is a randomized controlled trial to determine the safety and efficacy of aerobic exercise for patients who have interstitial lung disease (ILD) uncomplicated by pulmonary hypertension. In an uncontrolled study, we observed more efficient cardiorespiratory function, increased physical work capacity, and improved health-related quality of life following aerobic exercise in this study population. Serious adverse events resulting from aerobic exercise training were not observed and our work to date has established plausibility for the efficacy of aerobic exercise training and its safety for patients with ILD.