Keywords

cardiac rehabilitation, exercise, heart failure, diastolic, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), quality of life (quality of life)

Authors

1. Bean, Glenn MS, FAACVPR
2. Mou, Jin MD, MSc, MPH, PhD
3. Pflugeisen, Bethann MSc, MEd
4. Olsen, Lindsay BS, ACSM-CEP, CCRP
5. Hoag, Stephanie BS, CCRP
6. Silva, Angela DBA, MAOL, CRA
7. Ball, Andrea L. MLS, MSIM
8. Lee, Tobias MD, FACC

Abstract

Background: Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) experience poor exercise tolerance and quality of life. Little is known about the feasibility or effects of HFpEF exercise training (ET) in a community hospital setting.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and pilot data of a community-based HFpEF ET intervention.

Methods: This was a single-group (n = 16), pretest-posttest, 9-week ET intervention. The Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, cardiopulmonary exercise test (peak VO₂), and 6-minute walk test were used for evaluation.

Results: Participants (n = 16) attended 88% of prescribed ET sessions and 94% completed all pretest-posttest assessments. Significant improvements in Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (P = .01), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (P <= .01), exercise test time (P = .01) and 6-minute walk test (P = .001), but not in peak VO₂ (P = .16), were found.

Conclusions: The ET intervention was feasible and safe, and findings support improved quality of life, depressive symptoms, and exercise tolerance. Larger controlled trials are warranted.