Effect of an Eccentric Exercise Program on Quality of Life and Function in People With Chronic Heart Failure.

Launched by LA TROBE UNIVERSITY · Aug 21, 2014

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

BACKGROUND A systematic literature review we conducted yielded two trials investigating eccentric exercise in patients with coronary artery disease and two trials in the chronic heart failure population. Eccentric exercise was reported to be a safe form of exercise for coronary patients, causing minimal heart and breathing stress and being perceived as "fairly light" exertion. Eccentric exercise, when compared with concentric exercise (shortening contractions) resulted in comparable improvements in muscle strength and walking distance, often with reduced oxygen usage.

With no increase in n...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • aged \> 18 years
• • a clinical diagnosis of heart failure either systolic or diastolic on transthoracic echocardiogram
• • mild to moderate heart failure
• • medically stable heart failure
• • have received approval when assessed by the group physiotherapist to participate in the exercise program as is usual practice. Where concerns arise during assessment, clearance will be sought from the treating cardiologist.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • hospitalisation for a CHF exacerbation within the previous month
• • severe heart failure classified as level four on the New York heart association classification (short of breath at rest)
• • unstable medical condition such as uncontrolled angina, diabetes or hypertension
• • dementia or a psychological disorder that would interfere with participation in group exercise
• • participation in a cardiac or heart failure rehabilitation program in the prior six months
• • contraindications to exercise (ie aneurysm, valvular disease)
• • the presence of any pre-existing neurological or musculoskeletal condition, for example stroke, that on assessment is deemed to interfere with exercise participation.