Principal Investigator
Dr. Natya Raghavan
Co-Investigators
Dr. Martin Kolb & Dr. Nathan Hambly
Description
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive (which means it worsens over time) and irreversible lung disease that is characterized by fibrotic destruction of the lung. IPF causes the tissue deep in the lungs to become thick and stiff or scarred over time, resulting in shortness of breath and a nonproductive cough. As the lung tissue becomes thicker, your lungs lose their ability to move oxygen into your bloodstream. As a result, your brain and other organs do not get the oxygen they need. Fibrosis is due to an abnormal healing process in response to injury in the lung.
Pulmonary (lung) rehabilitation is recommended in patients with IPF to improve exercise capacity and overall quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise program that helps to improve the lung function. During the eight week program, a physiotherapist works with patients on exercises meant to help lessen their shortness of breath. These benefits diminish over time as the disease progresses. In a previous study, the investigators found that IPF patients who breathed 60% oxygen during exercise had more endurance and less shortness of breath than when they breathed room air.
Nintedanib is an antifibrotic drug that is approved by Health Canada for the treatment of IPF. Nintedanib slows down the progression of IPF in patients with mild-to-moderate disease. Use of this medication while participating in pulmonary rehabilitation may contribute to greater benefit long term.
Summary
This is a placebo-controlled study which means that some people will receive regular air during exercise training and others will receive 60% oxygen.The decision to continue or discontinue all other therapies (including nintedanib) will be made by you and your treating physician. Please note that Nintedanib is being prescribed by your physician as part of clinical care and not for research purposes.
This study will recruit 88 participants from across Canada, eleven (11) from St. Joseph’s Hospital.
For more information about this study, please contact:
Study Coordinator: Nima Makhdami
Email: nmakhdam@stjosham.on.ca