EXERCISE, EDUCATION, AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN LUNG-TRANSPLANT CANDIDATES

In addition to improved functional ability, patients who complete reha bilitation programs typically have positive psychologic changes, inclu ding increased motivation and an enhanced quality of life. Potentially , patients with end-stage lung disease awaiting a lung transplant can have similar benefits. However, no studies were identified that examin ed the impact of an exercise program on quality of life in patients aw aiting lung transplanation. This pilot study was an initial step towar d evaluating outcomes of a health maintenance program on exercise tole rance and quality of life. Subjects were nine lung transplant candidat es who met lung transplant listing criteria and who were randomized to participate in a 6-week health maintenance program consisting of educ ation alone or education plus exercise. Subjects completed cardiopulmo nary exercise testing, a 6-minute walk, and the Quality of Well-being scale, Quality of Life Index, and Symptom Frequency/Symptom Distress s cale before and after completion of the program. No significant betwee n-group changes were seen. Quality of Well-being scores (p < 0.005) an d 6-minute walk distance (p < 0.03) improved over time in both groups. Findings suggest that patients awaiting lung tranplantation perceived improved quality of well-being and increased walk distance after part icipation in a health maintenance program. Education plus exercise con ferred no benefits beyond those achieved by education alone. However, the number of subjects studied was small and duration of follow-up was limited.