Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

CG163/3

Question

Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve outcomes in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis:- Does pulmonary rehabilitation improve outcomes for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- There is evidence that people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. However this evidence is mostly derived from programmes designed principally for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is likely that the needs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease differ. Randomised controlled trials should be carried out to determine the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation programmes tailored to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, compared with currently offered pulmonary rehabilitation programmes, on quality of life, walking distance and lung function with analysis adjusting for confounding factors appropriately. Trials should analyse benefits of the different aspects of pulmonary rehabilitation including the components, setting and location of the programme, and healthcare resources involved. End points may include: 6-minute walk distance; breathlessness score; a measure of health-related quality of life (ideally employing a tool validated in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis); mortality (all-cause and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis-related); hospitalisation (all-cause, non-elective and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis -related); lung function (vital capacity and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide). Studies should be of sufficient power and duration and include a health economic evaluation.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in adults: diagnosis and management

Number

CG163

Date issued

June 2013

Other details