Impact of home-based, supervised exercise on congestive heart failure

Int J Cardiol. 2010 Nov 19;145(2):267-270. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.09.478. Epub 2009 Oct 25.

Abstract

Aims: Comparison of supervised home-based exercise program as adjunctive therapy, with comprehensive disease management alone, on symptoms and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients.

Methods: 8 women and 11 men were enrolled in a randomized trial. The mean subject age was 69 (±4.44) in the controls and 70 (±4.05) in the intervention group. Baseline and 3, 6, and 12-month evaluations consisted of the Chronic Heart Failure Questionnaire (CHFQ), measuring perceived functional capacity (perceived symptoms of dyspnea, fatigue, and emotional function) and the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS). A stress test was given at baseline and 12 months.

Results and conclusions: The home-based exercise intervention caused a significant change in perceived fatigue between study groups (p=0.015), after 6 months of study participation, with the control group feeling less fatigued than the intervention group. After 12 months of participation, there were no significant differences in perceived functional capacity. Home-based exercise was well tolerated and favorably evaluated. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of studying home-based exercise in patients with moderate congestive heart failure. Larger and longer studies will be required to determine treatment effects.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Letter
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise / psychology
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Exercise Therapy / psychology
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / psychology
  • Heart Failure / therapy*
  • Home Care Services*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Treatment Outcome