An international task force of pulmonary hypertension (PH) experts has published a new official ERS statement focusing on exercise training and rehabilitation in patients with severe chronic PH. The statement is published today (Thursday 28 February, 2019) in the European Respiratory Journal.
The task force included a multidisciplinary team from 18 centres in 11 European countries, whose objectives were to summarise current studies, to develop strategies for future research, and to increase availability and awareness of exercise training for PH patients.
A combined evidence-based approach that included a detailed literature search and face-to-face meetings was conducted to develop the statement, which covers in detail:
- Clinical effects of exercise training in pulmonary hypertension
- Training modalities and setting
- Implementation of exercise training
- Mechanisms of action of exercise training in PH
The task force says the current evidence shows that tailored exercise training programmes are effective, cost-efficient and safe for chronic PH patients, but that exercise training does not receive adequate financial support from healthcare institutions, commissioners of healthcare and research funding institutions.
Further, the statement concludes that there is a strong need to establish specialised rehabilitation programmes for PH patients to enhance patient access to this treatment intervention, as this can contribute to improving quality of life and patient outcomes.