Comparison of Different Exercise Training on Exercise Capacity and Fatigue in Patients With Sarcoidosis

Comparison of the Effects of One-Legged and Two-Legged Exercise Training on Exercise Capacity and Fatigue in Patients With Sarcoidosis

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a key element in the management of people with chronic respiratory disease. A properly followed supervised physical training program in sarcoidosis is safe and has no absolute contraindications. Fatigue can also be associated with sarcoidosis for different reasons. Individualized rehabilitation training can improve the symptoms of patients with sarcoidosis. There is no study in the literature investigating the effectiveness of one-legged exercises that reduce peripheral muscle use, in patients with sarcoidosis. In our study, these two exercise methods will be compared by applying one-legged exercise training and two-legged exercise training. The effect of one-legged exercise training on exercise capacity and fatigue in sarcoidosis patients will be examined. The primary aim of our study is to compare the effects of one-legged exercise training, which is a current exercise approach, and two-legged exercise training on exercise capacity and fatigue in patients with sarcoidosis. The secondary aim is to examine the effect of this exercise training on peripheral muscle strength and quality of life parameters.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a key element in the management of individuals with chronic respiratory disease. A properly followed supervised physical training program in sarcoidosis is safe and has no absolute contraindications. Fatigue may be associated with different causes in sarcoidosis. Individualized rehabilitation practices can improve the symptoms of patients with sarcoidosis. There is no study in the literature investigating the effectiveness of one-legged exercises that reduce peripheral muscle use in patients with sarcoidosis. In our study, these two exercise methods will be compared by applying one-legged exercise training and two-legged exercise training. 26 patients will be randomly divided into 2 groups (n1=n2=13). While one group will receive one-legged cycling ergometer training, the other group will receive two-legged cycling ergometer training. After 8 weeks of exercise training, patients will be evaluated with, Pulmonary Function Test, Six-Minute Walk Test, Endurance Shuttle Walk test, Fatigue Assessment Scale, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Blood Lactate Level (with lactate device), Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, Handheld dynamometer, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. The effect of one-legged exercise training on exercise capacity and fatigue in sarcoidosis patients will be examined. The primary aim of our study is to compare the effects of one-legged exercise training, which is a current exercise approach, and two-legged exercise training on exercise capacity and fatigue in patients with sarcoidosis. The secondary aim is to examine the effect of this exercise training on peripheral muscle strength and quality of life parameters. The completion of the study will contribute to the determination of the content of the exercise programs to be applied in sarcoidosis patients and will reveal the effectiveness of one-legged exercise training, which is a current exercise method, in sarcoidosis patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Disease severity classified as stage 2, 3, or 4 based on chest X-ray findings FAS score ≥ 22 Patients being clinically stable No changes in their medical treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having orthopedic, neurological, cardiac, or metabolic conditions that could hinder participation in the exercise program and adherence to it during the study period.