Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improves physical fitness in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation - A randomized controlled study

• The aim of this multicenter randomized controlled trial was to compare physiotherapist-led exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (PT-X) with physical activity on prescription (PAP) with regard to physical fitness, physical activity, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and metabolic risk markers in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Ninety six patients (28 women), age 74 (5) years, and ejection fraction >= 45% were randomized. An exercise tolerance test (primary outcome measure), muscle endurance tests, HR-QoL, physical activity assessments (questionnaire and accelerometer), and blood sampling were performed. The PT-X consisted of 60-minute group sessions and home-based exercise, both twice a week. The PAP consisted of 40 minutes of active walking, 4 times a week. Eighty seven patients completed the study. Exercise tolerance (maximum exercise capacity) improved significantly after PT-X (n = 40) but not after PAP (n = 47) (16 vs -3 W; P < .0001). Muscle endurance also improved after PT-X: shoulder flexion left arm (7 vs -1 repetition; P < .001), heel-lift right leg (4 vs 1 repetition; P < .05), left leg (4 vs -1 repetition; P < .001), and shoulder abduction (17 vs -4 s; P < .010). PAP significantly increased energy expenditure. Health-related quality of life and lab-tests did not differ. PT-X improved physical fitness in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Idrottsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Sport and Fitness Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

exercise

heart

physical activity

quality-of-life

heart-failure

disease

health

prescription

reliability

prevention

capacity

Sport Sciences

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)