Description
Intervention design: During the non-invasive ventilation (NIV) session, subjects completed 10 NIV-supported breaths, followed by up to four repetitions of the forced exhalation and coughing technique, as required. During habitual airway clearance techniques (ACT), subjects performed similar routines of forced exhalations and coughing. The subjects received two 30-minute ACT sessions a day supervised by a physiotherapist specializing in FQ for adults with NIV training (GS). People involved: 14 participants in the airway clearance techniques (ACTs) group n= 7 and ACT + non-invasive ventilation (NIV)=7 Barriers identified: Exercise training in the CF population is challenging due to the limitations presented by compromised respiratory function. Low arterial oxygen saturation during constant load exercise (CLE) does not allow people with CF to exercise at high intensities for long enough to achieve the necessary physiological adaptations. Sustainability: Interval exercise training (IE) was well tolerated by adults with CF, as it was associated with mild arterial oxygen desaturation and moderate levels of breathlessness. Transferability: IE can be applied to adults with CF with less shortness of breath and arterial oxygen desaturation, thus qualifying as a safe exercise training modality. The approach can be adapted to other respiratory diseases or conditions and in other countries or demographic groups.