Early exercise-based rehabilitation for adults hospitalized with acute pulmonary embolism

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The randomized RehabPE trial enrolls adults hospitalized with objectively confirmed acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism who are at increased risk of post‑PE problems (sPESI ≥1) and randomizes them to early center‑based rehabilitation or standard follow‑up. The intervention is a 6–8 week outpatient program with 16–18 sessions of endurance and strength training plus two education sessions on the condition, treatment, and symptom management. The control arm receives usual follow‑up without structured rehabilitation. Outcomes include patient‑reported quality of life, physical capacity, and symptom burden measured over 180 days.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years
2. Hospitalization for objectively confirmed acute symptomatic PE, defined as intraluminal filling defect of a segmental or more proximal pulmonary artery on computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or a high-probability ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy, and admission within the past 7 days
3. Increased risk for post-PE syndrome, defined as simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) ≥1 point at the time of admission
4. Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Contraindication to EBR (known unstable cardiac conditions like angina pectoris, severe valvular heart disease, or severe resting pulmonary hypertension)
2. Medical condition that clearly precludes participation in EBR (e.g., inability to walk, unstable joints, severe neurological impairment)
3. Recently completed (i.e., \<6 months), ongoing, or planned in- or outpatient EBR, or planned supervised outpatient physiotherapy for any indication
4. Planned hospitalization during follow-up (e.g., elective surgery or inpatient chemotherapy)
5. Contraindication to anticoagulation
6. Life expectancy \<1 year based on the treating physician's clinical judgement
7. Known pregnancy
8. Inability to speak German or French
9. Participation in another study that prohibits concurrent participation in RehabPE
10. Unable to provide informed consent (e.g., due to dementia)
11. Unwilling to provide informed consent
12. Prior enrollment in this study

Where it's running

• Cantonal Hospital Aarau
  Aarau, Switzerland Recruiting
• Cantonal Hospital Baden
  Baden, Switzerland Recruiting
• Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
  Bern, Switzerland Recruiting
• Geneva University Hospitals
  Geneva, Switzerland Recruiting
• Lausanne University Hospital
  Lausanne, Switzerland Recruiting
• University Hospital Zürich
  Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Tobias Tritschler, Prof. Dr. med., MSc — Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern
• Study coordinator: Tobias Tritschler, Prof. Dr. med., MSc
• Email: tobias.tritschler@insel.ch
• Phone: +41 (0)31 632 01 46

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Pulmonary and cardiovascular rehabilitation program for chronic respiratory and heart conditions

  This study tests a rehabilitation program that combines exercise for people with chronic lung and heart conditions to see if it helps them feel better and improve their daily activities.

  Recruiting University of Campinas, Brazil · Campinas, São Paulo · NCT06772922

• Assessing diaphragm function in patients with respiratory diseases

  This study is testing how well the diaphragm works in people with respiratory diseases to see if it affects their breathing difficulties and overall health.

  Recruiting RWTH Aachen University · Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia · NCT05903001

• Aspirin vs. rivaroxaban for blood clot prevention in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

  In newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients on IMiD-based therapy, this study tests whether aspirin or rivaroxaban is better at preventing blood clots.

  Recruiting Phase 4 The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University · Nanjing, Jiangsu · NCT07907211

• Lung perfusion scans in ED patients with suspected pulmonary embolism

  This study looks at how lung perfusion (and sometimes ventilation) scans in adults with suspected pulmonary embolism seen in the emergency department influence clinical decisions and patient outcomes.

  Recruiting Antalya Health Sciences University · Antalya, konyaaltı · NCT07905781

• Wintergreen oil inhalation for shortness of breath in pneumonia patients

  Hospitals will test whether inhaling wintergreen essential oil helps relieve dyspnea in adults with pneumonia.

  Recruiting Far Eastern Memorial Hospital · New Taipei City, Taipei · NCT07894835

• Quiet Knee Protocol after knee replacement

  A randomized study tests whether a Quiet Knee Protocol after unilateral knee replacement helps with pain, range of motion, and recovery better than standard rehab.

  Recruiting Mayo Clinic · Jacksonville, Florida and 1 other locations · NCT07879014

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.