Heart failureLong-Term Effects of a Group-Based High-Intensity Aerobic Interval-Training Program in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Section snippets
Methods
The study population was obtained by screening all patients with CHF who were referred to the heart failure outpatient clinics at Ullevaal University Hospital and Lovisenberg Hospital (both in Oslo, Norway) during a 2.5-year period. Ninety-five patients were candidates for inclusion in the study, but 15 patients withdrew consent for various reasons. A study flow diagram is presented in Figure 1. The study was a prospective randomized controlled trial. The patients were randomized to either the
Results
At baseline, there were no significant differences in demographic data; time between time 1, time 2, and time 3; or medical treatment (Table 1). Medical treatment did not change during the intervention period, except for alterations in diuretic dosages (as is normal in clinical practice) and temporary medication changes during hospitalization. No events occurred during the exercise training. Of the 76 patients who completed the tests after the intervention period, 72 returned for evaluation 1
Discussion
This study is, to our knowledge, the first to document long-term effects on functional capacity and the quality of life in patients with CHF using a novel group-based, high-intensity aerobic interval training program. Our main hypothesis in this trial was confirmed.
Previous studies have been generally concordant in demonstrating an increase in functional capacity after short-term exercise training, but few comparable studies have evaluated whether patients with CHF continue to carry out
Acknowledgment
We acknowledge the assistance of physicians Svein Solheim, Haakon Kiil Grøgard, and Torstein Jensen, of the Department of Cardiology, and the fellows of the Heart Laboratory and Cardiology Unit at Ullevaal University Hospital with the cycle ergometer tests.
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Cited by (0)
This study was supported by grants from the Eastern Norwegian Health Authority, the Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation, and the Center for Clinical Research, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.