title: Effects of Exercise Training on Exercise Capacity in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) causes profound functional limitations and poor quality of life. Yet, there is only a limited literature available on the role of exercise training. This paper systematically reviews the effects of exercise training on exercise capacity in PAH.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of databases (PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science and PEDRo) was undertaken for English language articles published between 1(st) January 1980 and 31(st) March 2015. Quality rating for all articles was done using the Downs and Black scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen articles of good (n=4), moderate (n=6) and poor (n=5) quality were included in the review. Exercise interventions included aerobic, resistance, inspiratory muscle training or a combination, for 6-18 weeks. Improvements were seen in exercise capacity (six minute walk distance (6MWD) and peak VO2) by 17-96m and 1.1-2.1ml/Kg/min, functional class by one class and quality of life, with minimal adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence to recommend the use of exercise training as an adjunct to medical treatment in PAH. More clinical trials and research are required to assess the effects of different types of exercise programs in patients with PAH, while focussing on strong exercise endpoints to quantify the improvements seen with exercise training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal - 576104, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: abrahambabu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Abraham Samuel
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Babu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal-576104, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Ramachandran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Padmakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal - 576104, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Arun G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Maiya
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal-576104, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Aswini Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mohapatra
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Kamath
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D039781:PubMed
keywords: Exercise; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Six minute walk test