From the Guidelines
Exercise is beneficial for patients with sarcoidosis, particularly when tailored to individual condition severity and symptoms, as it can improve fatigue and quality of life. According to the European Respiratory Journal's clinical practice guidelines on treatment of sarcoidosis 1, patients with sarcoidosis who have troublesome fatigue may benefit from a pulmonary rehabilitation programme and/or inspiratory muscle strength training for 6–12 weeks. This approach is supported by a conditional recommendation, albeit based on low quality of evidence. Key benefits of exercise for sarcoidosis patients include:
- Improved fatigue management
- Enhanced respiratory muscle strength
- Increased exercise capacity
- Better overall quality of life When designing an exercise program for sarcoidosis patients, considerations should include:
- Starting slowly and progressing gradually
- Monitoring symptoms and oxygen levels, especially in cases of pulmonary involvement
- Consulting with a healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program, particularly for those with cardiac sarcoidosis, severe pulmonary hypertension, or advanced organ damage
- Tailoring the exercise regimen to the individual's condition severity and symptoms, which may involve a combination of aerobic activity, resistance training, and flexibility exercises 1.
From the Research
Benefits of Exercise for Sarcoidosis Patients
- Exercise has been shown to improve exercise capacity and reduce fatigue in patients with sarcoidosis 2, 3, 4.
- A supervised physical training program can improve functional capacity, muscle strength, dyspnea, quality of life, anxiety, and fatigue in patients with stage 3 and 4 sarcoidosis 4.
- Physical training has the potential to improve exercise tolerance and muscle strength, and reduce fatigue in sarcoidosis patients 2.
Exercise as Part of Sarcoidosis Management
- International sarcoidosis experts suggest considering physical training in symptomatic patients with sarcoidosis 2.
- Exercise training should be integrated into the standard treatment of patients with late-stage sarcoidosis 4.
- A 12-week supervised physical training program has been shown to improve exercise capacity and fatigue in sarcoidosis patients 3.
Importance of Exercise for Sarcoidosis Patients
- Sarcoidosis patients often experience fatigue, dyspnea, and reduced exercise tolerance, making exercise an important part of their management 2, 5.
- Exercise can help improve functional capacity and quality of life in patients with sarcoidosis 4.
- Further research is needed to define the optimal training program for sarcoidosis patients, including the type, intensity, frequency, and duration of exercise 2.