Breathing Exercise Before Lung Transplant Surgery
Tests breathing muscle training before lung transplant in adults waiting for a transplant.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Inspiratory Muscle Training in Lung Transplant Candidates
Key facts
- Where
- Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, CanadaSee the 4 sites
Where in Canada
- Edmonton Lung Transplant ProgramEdmonton, CanadaTaking people
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM)Montreal, CanadaTaking people
- University Health NetworkToronto, CanadaTaking people
- Vancouver General HospitalVancouver, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University Health Network, Toronto
- Trial code
- NCT06370832
- Record updated
- 9 November 2026
- Original description
Recovery after lung transplantation (LTx) may be complicated by prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) and protracted intensive care unit (ICU) stay leading to immobilization and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In the critical care setting, diaphragm atrophy and weakness have been associated with difficulty weaning from MV, increased risk for readmission to hospital or ICU, and increased mortality. Increasing respiratory muscle strength by inspiratory muscle training (IMT) as part of pre-rehabilitation mitigates respiratory muscle dysfunction peri-operatively and may reduce the risk of post-operative complications. However, IMT is not widely used prior to LTx and the benefits of pre-operative IMT on post-transplant outcomes in LTx candidates have not been studied. Objectives: (1) To evaluate the feasibility of a multicenter randomized clinical trial of IMT in LTx candidates in terms of recruitment rate, retention, program adherence, and outcome ascertainment; (2) To establish the change in pre-transplant dyspnea perception, diaphragm structure and function, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and post-transplant intensive care unit (ICU), hospital and post-transplant 3-month outcomes with IMT relative to usual care group; and (3) To characterize the effect of pre-transplant IMT on peri-transplant diaphragm myofibrillar cross-sectional area (CSA), oxidative capacity, inflammatory markers and post-transplant diaphragm muscle thickness and function (UHN TGH site).Read full original descriptionShow less
Inspiratory Muscle Training in Lung Transplant Candidates and Implications on Early Post-Transplant Outcomes: A Pilot and Feasibility Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial
Recovery after lung transplantation (LTx) may be complicated by prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) and protracted intensive care unit (ICU) stay leading to immobilization and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In the critical care setting, diaphragm atrophy and weakness have been associated with difficulty weaning from MV, increased risk for readmission to hospital or ICU, and increased mortality. Increasing respiratory muscle strength by inspiratory muscle training (IMT) as part of pre-rehabilitation mitigates respiratory muscle dysfunction peri-operatively and may reduce the risk of post-operative complications. However, IMT is not widely used prior to LTx and the benefits of pre-operative IMT on post-transplant outcomes in LTx candidates have not been studied. Objectives: (1) To evaluate the feasibility of a multicenter randomized clinical trial of IMT in LTx candidates in terms of recruitment rate, retention, program adherence, and outcome ascertainment; (2) To establish the change in pre-transplant dyspnea perception, diaphragm structure and function, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and post-transplant intensive care unit (ICU), hospital and post-transplant 3-month outcomes with IMT relative to usual care group; and (3) To characterize the effect of pre-transplant IMT on peri-transplant diaphragm myofibrillar cross-sectional area (CSA), oxidative capacity, inflammatory markers and post-transplant diaphragm muscle thickness and function (UHN TGH site).
Inclusion: Adult participants (≥ 18 years of age); Lung Transplant Candidates; Participating in outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (standard of care); Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Exclusion: Individuals awaiting a re-transplant; Neurologic or musculoskeletal conditions that may interfere with IMT or functional assessments (i.e. history of stroke, severe arthritis of hands); Present ruptures of eardrums or infections leading to fluid behind ear drum; Marked left or right ventricular end-diastolic volume and pressure overload on right heart catheterization or echocardiogram; Severe osteoporosis with history of rib fractures; Cardiac pacemaker or other electronic or magnetic body implant; Respiratory exacerbation within the last 1 month; Insufficient English fluency to provide informed consent or to follow study protocols; Any evidence of pneumothorax on recent imaging (< 6 months); Individuals listed as rapidly deteriorating or inpatient at the time of eligibility assessment; Inability of the patient to connect to the internet.