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Lung TransplantationNCT07065318

Lung Transplant Candidates: Effects of Aerobic vs. HIIT Training on ICF Assessments

A study testing LV-HIIT (Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training), MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training) and Ergometer cycle in people with Lung Transplantation, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Lung transplantation is a crucial surgical intervention aimed at increasing survival rates in patients with end-stage lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 64 years
Conditions the study is for
Lung Transplantation
What is being tested?
LV-HIIT (Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training), MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training) and Ergometer cycle
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
20 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Nov 2024to Dec 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 64 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Being diagnosed with interstitial lung disease and being followed up at the Ankara City Hospital Chest Diseases Clinic,
  • Being 18 years of age or older,
  • Patients who are being followed up with a diagnosis of ILD according to the ATS/ERS 2022 international ILD guideline,
  • Being on the lung transplant waiting list according to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and are being evaluated for listing and are being followed up by the chest diseases department (25-28),
  • Being willing to participate in the exercise program regularly and volunteering to participate in the study,
  • Patients who have dyspnea levels of 2 and above according to the Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale and are able to ambulate,
  • Patients who receive long-term oxygen support will be included.

Who cannot join

  • Patients with a history of exertional syncope,
  • Patients in acute exacerbation,
  • Patients with sarcoidosis,
  • Patients with serious comorbidities that may limit exercise (e.g. musculoskeletal, neurological or cardiovascular problems) will not be included.
  • Patients with an aortic aneurysm greater than 5.5 cm,
  • Patients with cardiovascular impediments to exercise during cardiological evaluations prior to pulmonary rehabilitation

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Ulas A Ar, MSc contact

90 312-552-6000

ulas12ar@gmail.com

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Ankara Bilkent City Hospital

    Ankara, 06000

    Ankara Bilkent City Hospital H H, H

    Recruiting

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Continuous Aerobic Exercise Training and High-Intensity Interval Exercise Training on ICF-Based Assessments in Lung Transplant Candidates

Lung transplantation is a crucial surgical intervention aimed at increasing survival rates in patients with end-stage lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. One of the most important determinants of health outcomes before and after lung transplantation is exercise capacity. An increase in the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), which serves as a measure of functional exercise capacity, is associated with lower mortality rates in both pre- and post-transplantation settings. Therefore, effective rehabilitation programs are needed to enhance the exercise capacities of lung transplant candidates.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive program designed specifically for individuals with chronic respiratory diseases. PR aims to improve patients\' physical and psychological conditions through detailed assessments and personalized treatment plans. It can play a role in enhancing the preoperative exercise capacities of lung transplant candidates and improving their chances of successful health outcomes. However, lung transplant candidates often have more advanced lung disease and face greater challenges compared to typical patients undergoing PR, making the expected benefits more complex to achieve.

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in lung transplant candidates with interstitial lung disease (ILD). The first objective is to compare the physiological responses and effectiveness of HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) within the same exercise volume. The secondary aim is to evaluate the impact of HIIT on body structure and function, activity, and participation levels using ICF-based assessments.

Read the detailed description

Research Design This study employs a randomized controlled prospective design. The exercise training protocol consists of two main groups: high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). The HIIT protocol includes high-intensity efforts performed in 30-second intervals, while the MICT protocol involves longer-duration, moderate-intensity exercise. The total training duration for both groups is planned for 8 weeks.

Participants will include individuals with interstitial lung disease who are on the waiting list for lung transplantation. They must agree to participate regularly in the exercise program. Power analysis indicated that a minimum of 10 participants per group is needed, leading to a total target of 20 participants.

Parameters to be Assessed The study will assess various parameters before and after the exercise training. These parameters include demographic information, exercise capacity, respiratory function, comorbidities, daily living activities, and quality of life.

Exercise capacity will be evaluated using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Respiratory functions will be measured through pulmonary function tests (PFT), capturing values such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO). Comorbidities will be assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index, while daily living activities will be measured using the London Chest and St. George questionnaires.

Quality of life will be evaluated through various scales. For instance, the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale will assess fear and anxiety levels in patients. Additionally, the FRAIL Scale will evaluate frailty, sarcopenia levels, and muscle strength.

Hypotheses

This study has four main hypotheses:

There is a significant difference between HIIT and MICT regarding the effects on body structure and function impairments, activity, and participation levels.

HIIT has a positive effect on respiratory function, exercise capacity, and quality of life.

HIIT has an effect on sarcopenia and frailty levels. HIIT impacts body structure and function impairments, activity, and participation levels.

Conclusion This study aims to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training in lung transplant candidates. The findings may contribute to optimizing pre-transplant rehabilitation processes and improving the overall health status of these patients. Furthermore, the applicability and effectiveness of such exercise protocols may lead to significant changes in clinical practice. The results of the research will shed light on the development of exercise rehabilitation programs and the treatment processes for lung disease patients.

Being tested
LV-HIIT (Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training), MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training), Ergometer cycle
Keywords
lung transplant candidates, exercise training, high intensity interval training, aerobic exercise

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • LV-HIIT (Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training)Behavioural

    30-sec intervals at 85-100% peak workload, 30-sec rest at 40%, total 20-30 min.

  • MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training)Behavioural

    Continuous cycling at 60-80% peak workload for 20-30 min.

  • Ergometer cycleDevice

    Electronically Ergometer cycle custo ec5000, CustoMed used for all exercise sessions. Calibrated before each trial.

Study groups in NCT07065318
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
LV-HIIT (Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training)ExperimentalThe first randomly assigned group will perform 30 seconds of high-intensity exercise at 85-100% of their maximum workload, followed by 30 seconds of exercise at 40% of their maximum workload. This 30-second high-intensity exercise followed by 30 seconds of low-intensity exercise will be referred to as one cycle. A total of 20 cycles will be completed. Additionally, 2 minutes of low-intensity warm-up and cool-down exercises will be performed.
Receives: Behavioral: LV-HIIT (Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training); Device: Ergometer cycle
MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training)Active comparatorThe second group determined as a result of randomization will exercise for 20-30 minutes at 60-80% of maximum workload. Exercise volume (duration × %Wpeak) matched between groups.
Receives: Behavioral: MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training); Device: Ergometer cycle

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Cardiopulmonary exercise capacity

    Peak Work Rate (PWR) PWR is determined through a symptom-limited incremental bicycle ergometer test. Patients pedal at 10 W, increasing by 10 W each minute until fatigue or a workload of 50 W is reached, or a fatigue level of 9 on the modified Borg scale. Workload and heart rate are monitored, with maximum workload (Wpeak) and heart rate recorded at the end.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

  2. Submaximal exercise capacity

    -Minute Walk Test (6MWT) The 6MWT assesses exercise capacity in a 30-meter corridor by measuring the distance walked. It evaluates oxygen saturation, heart rate, and dyspnea using the Borg scale before and after the test. Participants walk at their own pace and can pause or use oxygen as needed.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) Measured by Spirometry (Liters)

    FEV1 will be assessed via CosmedQuark PFT Q-Box, Italy following. Participants will perform ≥3 reproducible maneuvers; the highest value within 5% repeatability will be recorded and reported in liters. Values will be expressed as absolute liters and % predicted using equation.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

  2. Fragility

    Frail Frailty Scale It is a scale that evaluates the patient\'s fatigue, resistance, mobility, weight loss and other diseases by questioning them. The FRAIL scale, which consists of 5 items, receives 0 or 1 points according to the answers given by the patients, and a total of 0 points is considered as non-frail, 1-2 points as pre-frail and \>2 points as frail.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

  3. Life Quality

    St George Quality of Life Questionnaire

    It is a scale that measures the quality of life specific to respiratory diseases. It consists of a total of 50 items, 8 of which question the patient\'s symptoms, 16 of which question the activities, and 26 of which question the effects of the disease. While evaluating the symptoms, the patient\'s level of shortness of breath, cough, and sputum respiratory discomfort are questioned. While evaluating the activity component, physical activities that cause shortness of breath or are restricted due to shortness of breath are questioned. While evaluating the effects of the disease, it includes factors such as work, occupation, keeping health under control, and discomfort during daily living activities. The 3 sections of the test are calculated separately and the total score is calculated. A score of 0 indicates normal, a score of 100 indicates maximum disability

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

  4. Kinesiophobia

    The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) is a validated 17-item questionnaire assessing fear of movement and reinjury in chronic pain patients, scored on a 4-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 4=strongly agree). Total scores range from 17 (no kinesiophobia) to 68 (severe kinesiophobia), with scores ≥38 indicating clinically significant fear that may impair recovery.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

  5. Muscle strength

    Hand Grip Strength Jamar (Jamar®, California, USA) brand hand dynamometer, which is valid in clinical studies, will be used to measure hand grip strength.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

  6. Balance

    Timed-up and Go Test Test is a test performed to evaluate dynamic balance and functional mobility. A standardized chair, stopwatch and 3 meters of walking space are needed. The test begins while sitting in a chair, the individual gets up with the start command, walks 3 meters at normal walking speed, turns back and sits on the chair. Test completion time is recorded for scoring. Those who complete it in more than 15 seconds are considered to have impairment in daily living activities.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

  7. Sarcopenia

    SARC-F The SARC-F questionnaire is a self-reported screening tool for sarcopenia risk, based on five components: Strength, Assistance in walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, and Falls. It takes its name from the initials of the components. Each item is scored from 0 to 2, with a total score of ≥4 indicating a high risk. In this study, SARC-F will be used to assess sarcopenia risk at baseline and follow-up.

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

  8. Respiratory muscle strength

    Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) (cmH₂O) Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP) (cmH₂O)

    Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Jul 2025
  2. Study start1 Nov 2024
  3. Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
There will be 2 groups in the study. Group 1 will do low volume high-intensity interval exercise training. Group 2 will receive moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise training.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
20 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07065318
Sponsor's protocol ID
TABED-2-24-305
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
21 Nov 2024
Last updated
30 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Hume E, Ward L, Wilkinson M, Manifield J, Clark S, Vogiatzis I. Exercise training for lung transplant candidates and recipients: a systematic review. Eur Respir Rev. 2020 Oct 28;29(158):200053. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0053-2020. Print 2020 Dec 31.

    PubMed 33115788

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing LV-HIIT (Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training), MICT (Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training) and Ergometer cycle in people with Lung Transplantation, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Ulas A Ar, MSc (90 312-552-6000, ulas12ar@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Cardiopulmonary exercise capacity (time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07065318, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Sep 2026.

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