Lung Transplant Candidates: Effects of Aerobic vs. HIIT Training on ICF Assessments

Plain-language summary

Lung transplantation is a crucial surgical intervention aimed at increasing survival rates in patients with end-stage lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. One of the most important determinants of health outcomes before and after lung transplantation is exercise capacity. An increase in the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), which serves as a measure of functional exercise capacity, is associated with lower mortality rates in both pre- and post-transplantation settings. Therefore, effective rehabilitation programs are needed to enhance the exercise capacities of lung transplant candidates. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive program designed specifically for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases. PR aims to improve patients\' physical and psychological conditions through detailed assessments and personalized treatment plans. It can play a role in enhancing the preoperative exercise capacities of lung transplant candidates and improving their chances of successful health outcomes. However, lung transplant candidates often have more advanced lung disease and face greater challenges compared to typical patients undergoing PR, making the expected benefits more complex to achieve. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in lung transplant candidates with interstitial lung disease (ILD). The first objective is to compare the physiological responses and effectiveness of HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) within the same exercise volume. The secondary aim is to evaluate the impact of HIIT on body structure and function, activity, and participation levels using ICF-based assessments.

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