Interim results for INSPIRE-CF: A 24-month RCT evaluating effects of weekly supervised exercise in children with CF

Objectives: Long term effects of exercise on FEV₁, LCI, VO₂Peak, 10m-MSWT and CFQ-R. Methods: Children aged 10±3 (mean±SD, range 6-15) yrs with average FEV₁ of 86.6±15.3%pred were randomised by minimisation into control (n=34) or intervention groups (n=37). Both received specialist CF care. The intervention group also received weekly supervised exercise for 24-months. Results: Data for 68/71 were available. There was an average annual FEV₁ decline of 1.7%pred in both groups and a 15% increase in VO₂Peak, but no between-group differences. Significant between-group differences in 10m-MSWT favoured the intervention group. Perception of treatment burden reduced significantly in the intervention group. Increased physical and total-CFQ domains approached significance, with no between-groups differences in other CFQ-R domains. Conclusion: Despite modest deterioration in lung function over 2yrs, weekly supervised exercise significantly improved functional exercise capacity in the intervention group with quality of life benefits.