Randomized Study of a 6-Week Exercise Program for Adults Aged 40 to 80 With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of an exercise intervention program for patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease NTM-PD, a chronic lung infection that often affects people with structural lung diseases like COPD and bronchiectasis, as well as those without such conditions. The prevalence of NTM-PD is rising globally, posing public health concerns due to environmental exposure and chronic disease challenges. Pulmonary rehabilitation is important for chronic respiratory diseases, but data on exercise benefits for NTM-PD patients are limited. The study is a prospective, single-center, randomized, open-label trial with two groups. One group begins a six-week exercise program immediately after randomization, while the other starts the same program after a six-week delay. The program includes one day of hospital-based education and five days of home-based exercise each week, with exercises tailored to each patients capacity, including aerobic, resistance, and flexibility training. Participants aged 40 to 80 with confirmed NTM-PD and respiratory symptoms will undergo baseline assessments including medical history, physical exams, six-minute walk test, quality of life questionnaires, body composition, handgrip strength, and lung function tests. These evaluations will be repeated after the exercise program and six months later to assess effects on maximal oxygen uptake and other health measures. Safety and adherence will be monitored throughout the study, which is sponsored by Yonsei University and scheduled through April 2027.

Exercise Program in Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease