title: Does physical training reduce fatigue in sarcoidosis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sarcoidosis patients frequently experience fatigue, exercise intolerance and muscle weakness, resulting in reduced quality of life (QOL). Scientific studies on the benefits of physical training in sarcoidosis have been scarce, so the aim of this pilot study was to examine the impact of a 13-week physical training program on fatigue, physical functions and QOL in fatigued sarcoidosis patients and/or patients with exercise intolerance.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 sarcoidosis patients participated in a 13-week physical training program. The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF assessment instrument (WHOQOL-BREF),Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), six-minute walk test (6MWT), submaximal bicycle test and muscle strength of the quadriceps and elbow flexors were assessed at baseline and after the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FAS scores had decreased (mean difference -2.7 points, 95% CI -4.4 to -1.1) after completion of the training program, along with improvements in WHOQOLBREF psychological health domain (mean difference 0.9 points, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.7) and MRC dyspnea score (mean difference -0.4 points, 95% CI -0.8 to -0.1). 6MWD improved by 34.6 m (95% CI 20.3 to 49.0) and mean heart rate on the bicycle test improved (mean difference 8.4 beats/minute, 95% CI -13.8 to -3.0), as did quadriceps strength (mean difference 10.7 kg, 95% CI 5.5 to 15.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fatigue reduced after a period of physical training in sarcoidosis patients. Moreover, psychological health and physical functions improved. Future studies are warranted to assess the benefits of physical training in sarcoidosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC) Maastricht The Netherlands. rik.marcellis@mumc.nl.
authors.forename: Rik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marcellis
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van der Veeke
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mesters
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drent
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Bie
authors.forename: Geeuwke
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Vries
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lenssen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009426:Netherlands; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity