The effect of using a walk-bike on quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

IPF is a devastating progressive disease with limited treatment options. Dyspnea and fatigue lead to a reduction of daily physical activities, exercise tolerance, muscle strength and quality of life. Problems reported by IPF patients are social isolation, increased level of dependency and immobility.We hypothesized that use of this walk-bike in daily life extends the range and everyday mobility of IPF patients, thereby decreases the level of dependency and social isolation, factors that are associated with quality of life. If, with this low-cost intervention, daily activities of IPF patients increase, exercise capacity might improve too. The objective of this pilot study is to assess the efficacy of the ¡°walk-bike¡± on quality of life and exercise capacity in IPF patients. In this crossover pilot study participants will be randomly allocated to either an 8 weeks-exercise intervention (using a walk-bike) or receive standard treatment only. After the follow-up visit at week 9 patient will cross-over to the other group.

Use of this walk-bike in daily life extends the range and everyday mobility of IPF patients, thereby decreases the level of dependency and social isolation, factors that are associated with quality of life. If, with this low-cost intervention, daily activities of IPF patients increase, exercise capacity might improve too.

There are three study visits:

-Baseline measurements before randomly allocation to either intervention group (use of walk-bike) or control group.

-Post measurements at week 9

-Crossover to other group.

-Post measurements at week 18.

Use of a walk-bike in daily life during 8 weeks, with a minimum of 1 hour per day. The patient will be asked to record the time using the walk-bike in a diary. At baseline instructions will be given and a training under supervision.
The control group will receive standard treatment only.