. 2020 May 19;20:143. doi: 10.1186/s12890-020-01182-y

Table 2.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria	Exclusion Criteria
▪ Adults (18+) with confirmed PH (groups 1 to 5) as detailed in ESC/ERS guidelines [3]. ▪ Clinically stable: Groups 1, 4, & 5 - stable on optimal PH specific drug therapy (for those in whom it is appropriate) for at least one month, or evidence that these drugs cannot be tolerated. Groups 2 & 3 - stable on drug therapy for underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease for at least one month. Clinical stability defined as: presenting with, reproducible, manageable symptoms, not requiring any treatment other than routine follow-up care, and no PH related hospital admission in the last four weeks. ▪ World Health Organisation (WHO) functional class II, III or IV. ▪ Fluent in spoken English to allow engagement with intervention and physical outcome measures. ▪ Live within reasonable travelling distance (as defined by the participant) of a SPHERe exercise rehabilitation centre. ▪ Ability to provide informed consent.	▪ Absolute contra-indications to exercise as per international clinical guidelines [22, 23]. ▪ PH-related complications, or comorbidities severe enough to prevent attendance at a SPHERe centre, or participation in exercise rehabilitation. ▪ Any mental health issue that will prevent engagement with trial procedures. ▪ Previous randomisation in the present trial ▪ Pregnant at time of recruitment

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria

▪ Adults (18+) with confirmed PH (groups 1 to 5) as detailed in ESC/ERS guidelines [3].

▪ Clinically stable: Groups 1, 4, & 5 - stable on optimal PH specific drug therapy (for those in whom it is appropriate) for at least one month, or evidence that these drugs cannot be tolerated. Groups 2 & 3 - stable on drug therapy for underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease for at least one month. Clinical stability defined as: presenting with, reproducible, manageable symptoms, not requiring any treatment other than routine follow-up care, and no PH related hospital admission in the last four weeks.

▪ World Health Organisation (WHO) functional class II, III or IV.

▪ Fluent in spoken English to allow engagement with intervention and physical outcome measures.

▪ Live within reasonable travelling distance (as defined by the participant) of a SPHERe exercise rehabilitation centre.

▪ Ability to provide informed consent.

▪ Absolute contra-indications to exercise as per international clinical guidelines [22, 23].

▪ PH-related complications, or comorbidities severe enough to prevent attendance at a SPHERe centre, or participation in exercise rehabilitation.

▪ Any mental health issue that will prevent engagement with trial procedures.

▪ Previous randomisation in the present trial

▪ Pregnant at time of recruitment