Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Exercise Capacity, Rehospitalization, and Survival After Lung Transplant.

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the dose of post-lung transplantation (LTx) pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and exercise capacity, rehospitalization, and survival in LTx recipients. Methods Demographic and clinical data of LTx recipients from January 2020 to April 2023 were extracted and reviewed. The association between PR and the pre- to post-PR change in 6-minute walk test distance (6MWTd) was determined using lasso regression for variable selection followed by multiple linear regression. The association between the number of PR sessions completed and rehospitalization and survival after LTx was determined using negative binomial regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Results Aerobic training volume was a significant independent predictor of 6MWTd improvement from pre- to post-PR (β = .318, P Conclusions Greater aerobic training volume was an independent predictor of improved exercise capacity, while a greater number of PR sessions was associated with fewer total rehospitalizations within 1 year of LTx and a trend toward improved survival.