The exercise programmes inspiring people to move mo r e Exercise programmes underway in Sheffield and Glasgow will help to determine the health benefits of exercise therapy for people with pulmonary hypertension in the UK. Charlotte Goldthorpe reports on the findings so far.
Pioneering programme in Glasgow
An exercise programme currently taking place at The Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, aims to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life and heart function. The study was inspired by a pioneering programme in Germany. Led by Dr Martin Johnson, along with the research team which includes a dedicated physiotherapist, medical and nursing staff at the Scottish Pulmonary Vascular Unit (SPVU), the study involves an initial three-week residential phase at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel with individually-tailored and supervised daily exercise training, either one-to-one or in small groups. Following this, there is a 12-week home exercise programme supervised over the phone and by email. A total of 40 patients will participate in the study up to the summer, with 26 having already completed the programme. The results so far are
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positive, in areas including changes in pulmonary artery pressure, the sixminute walk test, muscle strength and exercise tolerance. The study is due to be completed in early Autumn and it’s hoped the results will be analysed and published in scientific journals, as well as being presented at scientific meetings. The team has already presented some of the initial results at the Pulmonary Hypertension Forum in Vienna, and the European Respiratory Society Congress meeting in Milan, last year.
The results
Research physiotherapist, Joanna Ford, said: “We are really pleased with the results of the study so far. Many of our patients have been unwell for some time, but to see them gain confidence through the programme is very rewarding. “Initial results have shown significant improvements in exercise capacity, quality of life and breathing function
and going forward we hope to gain more insight into how the therapy is benefiting patients. Our ultimate goal is to establish a dedicated rehabilitation service so many more patients can benefit from exercise therapy.”
Elaine's story
Elaine Fiddes decided to take part in the programme at the SPVU after losing both her mum and son to PH. She said: “When I was invited to take part in the exercise study, my immediate thought was, how could I not? I wanted to contribute in any way possible to defeat and eventually eradicate this horrible condition. The study has given me more confidence in knowing what I can achieve and what a safe exercise tolerance is for me. I feel that this condition is a bit like a pendulum swinging downwards. Taking exercise has pushed the pendulum back, and although it will inevitably swing downwards again, the exercise
