The Impact of Exercise on Skeletal Muscle Function in Lung Transplant Recipients
Study on Exercise and Muscle Health in Lung Transplant Patients
Gary Long
Primary Investigator
Brief description of study
Individuals post lung transplant suffer from significantly reduced exercise capacity. Physical rehabilitation (such as that carried out in COLTT) has previously been shown to improve aerobic endurance and muscle strength, both of which are associated with improved survival. Unfortunately, there is very little known about the mechanisms behind these improvements. Near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) allows for the non-invasive assessment of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin (HHb), total hemoglobin (tHb) in the muscle vasculature during exercise, and has been widely used in a variety of clinical conditions. Therefore, we plan to test if rehabilitation improves muscle oxygenation in patients post lung transplant. We plan on non-invasively assessing muscle oxygenation using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in patients after lung transplant. Specifically, patients will have their muscle oxygenation measured during a 6 minute walk test and sit-to-stand test before and after a ~4 week exercise program they already complete as standard of care.
Detailed description of study
During the first visit, patients complete several "baseline" physical performance tests, including a six minute walk, chair sit-to-stands, a balance task, and strength assessments. We plan to recruit patients either by phone (prior to first COLTT visit), or in COLTT, prior to their initial testing. After consent is obtained, we will place the NIRS device on the medial gastrocnemius (calf) muscle. The device is placed on the muscle belly, and secured with a velcro strap. The placement of the device will take 1-2 minutes. The device is powered on, and wireless data acquisition will be confirmed (1-2 minutes). The patients will then carry out their 6 minute walk and sit-to- stand test. After the tests, the device is powered down and removed from the leg (1-2 minutes). Total additional time for procedures related to the study would therefore be approximately 6 minutes, in addition to time required for recruitment and consent. This procedure wqill be carried out twice, once at their initial rehabilitation session, and once at their final session (approximately 4 weeks apart).
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: Lung Transplant
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Age: 18 years - 100 years
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Gender: All
Inclusion criteria:
- Patients that have been referred to COLTT after lung transplant
- >18 years old, male and female, all races/ethnicities
- Able to complete standard of care exercise testing
This study investigates how exercise affects muscle function in people who have had a lung transplant. Lung transplant patients often have trouble with exercise because their muscles do not work as well as they should. The purpose of this study is to see if exercise can help improve muscle oxygenation, which is how well muscles use oxygen. This will be done using a special tool that measures oxygen levels in muscles without hurting the skin.
Participants will have their muscle oxygenation measured during a six-minute walk test and a sit-to-stand test. These tests will be done before and after a four-week exercise program that is part of their usual care. The special tool will be placed on their calf muscle and will measure oxygen during these tests. This will help researchers understand how exercise might help their muscles.
- Who can participate: Participants must be over 18 years old and have been referred to COLTT after a lung transplant. They should be able to complete standard exercise tests.
- Study details: Participants will have a device placed on their calf muscle during their usual exercise tests to measure muscle oxygenation. The placement and measurement will take about six additional minutes to complete.
- Study timelines: The study will last approximately 4 weeks.
