Marmara University | Turkey
Dr. Melike Saritaş Arslan is a dedicated PhD candidate at Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye, affiliated with the Departments of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation within the Institute of Health Sciences. With a robust academic foundation including a BSc in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation from Süleyman Demirel University, an MSc in Exercise Physiology from Istanbul University, and ongoing doctoral studies in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Marmara University, she has built extensive expertise in chronic respiratory diseases. Professionally, she has served as a physiotherapist since 2010, initially at a Special Education and Rehabilitation Center and, since 2012, in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University. Her research focuses on patient education for conditions such as bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and COPD, with particular interest in pulmonary rehabilitation, physical activity recommendations, exercise physiology, and the innovative use of active video games (exergaming) as rehabilitation tools. She is also experienced in assessing functional capacity using tests such as the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), and endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT). Dr. Arslan has contributed to high-impact publications, including studies on the effectiveness of exergaming for ILD patients, correlations between physical activity and prognostic markers in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and oxygen saturation recovery post-exercise. She has participated as a researcher in clinical studies, including a Phase 1 trial of an inhaled soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator (MK-5475) for pulmonary hypertension associated with COPD. Committed to professional development, she maintains active memberships in leading organizations such as the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the Turkish Thoracic Society (TÜSAD), and the Turkish Physiotherapy Association (TTD). Her work bridges clinical practice and research, emphasizing evidence-based rehabilitation strategies to improve the quality of life and functional outcomes for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.
Profile: Orcid
Featured Publications
Holland, A. E., Hill, C. J., Conron, M., Munro, P., & McDonald, C. F. (2008). Short term improvement in exercise capacity and symptoms following exercise training in interstitial lung disease. Thorax, 63(6), 549–554. https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.2007.088070 PubMed+1
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) of patients with diverse ILDs (including IPF) demonstrated that an 8‑week supervised exercise training program safely improved 6‑min walk distance (6MWD), dyspnea, fatigue, and quality of life. PubMed+1
Swigris, J. J., Pierson, D. J., Edelen, M. O., Washko, G. R., & Strange, C. (2011). Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a case‑series. Respiratory Care, 56(6), 783–789. https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.00939 PubMed+1
This pilot study in IPF patients reported significant improvements in functional capacity (6MWD) and fatigue after a 6‑week pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program, supporting the feasibility and positive effects of PR in fibrotic ILD. PubMed
Jarosch, I., Grehn, M., Stojkovikj, V., Eberhardt, R., & Behr, J. (2020). Short‑term effects of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation and its maintenance in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial. Respiratory Medicine, 166, 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2020.105111 PMC
This more recent RCT evaluated a structured comprehensive PR program in IPF, showing short‑term gains in functional capacity and other clinical outcomes, highlighting the benefit of formal PR even in progressive fibrotic lung disease. PMC
Holland, A. E., Hill, C. J., Conron, M., Munro, P., & McDonald, C. F. (2009). Small changes in six‑minute walk distance are important in diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Respiratory Medicine, 103(10), 1430–1435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2009.04.024