Effects of yoga on exercise capacity in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis: a nonrandomized controlled study
LI Xiang-feng, Wenshuai Xu, Lu Zhang, Yi Zu, Yu Li, Yanli Yang, Ying Xiang, Yun Xiang, Ling Chen, Wei Liu, Lixia Chen, Kai‐Feng Xu
Abstract
Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of yoga on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare cystic lung disease in women. Patients and methods This was a nonrandomized, controlled study conducted in Beijing, China (August 27, 2017 – April 26, 2018). Twenty-six participants were allocated to the intervention (yoga) group ( n = 13) or control group (n = 13). The yoga intervention involved a 24-week program of yoga class training for 90 min once a week and no fewer than 2 at-home sessions per week (at least 15 min per session). The 6-min walking distance (6MWD), lung function, serum vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) levels, quality of life, and symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured at baseline, 12-week and 24-week follow-up. An incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test was conducted at baseline and the 24-week follow-up. Results Eleven patients completed the yoga training program. The yoga group exhibited improvements in the following outcomes versus those of the control group: 6MWD (+ 55 ± 29 m vs + 18 ± 49 m, P = 0.04), anaerobic threshold (3.4 ± 2.4 ml/min/kg vs 1.6 ± 1.4 ml/min/kg, P = 0.035) and peak work load (11.7 ± 14.6 W vs 0.2 ± 9.1 W, P = 0.027). There was no significant difference in peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak), lung function, VEGF-D level, and quality of life between the yoga and control groups. No adverse effects were found in the yoga group. Conclusion Yoga is a feasible and safe intervention for pulmonary rehabilitation and potentially improves exercise capacity in patients with LAM. Trial registration (Clinical trial registration number at www.chictr.org.cn : ChiCTR-OON-1701274)