The Impact of a Home-Based Walking Exercise Program on Heart Failure

Launched by NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Jan 16, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a 12-week home-based walking exercise program can help people with heart failure. Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart can’t pump blood effectively, and it affects many individuals. The researchers want to see if regular walking at home can improve patients' quality of life, reduce feelings of frailty, and lessen symptoms of depression. Participants in the trial will be divided into two groups: one group will follow the walking program after they leave the hospital, while the other group will receive standard health education. Both groups will have their progress checked at the beginning of the study and again at one and three months later.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be between 18 and 80 years old, have heart failure classified as moderate (not the most severe), and have the go-ahead from their doctor to join the walking program. They should also be able to walk independently and have no major cognitive issues. This trial not only aims to support the health of those with heart failure but also seeks to find a way to encourage patients to stay active at home without adding extra costs to the healthcare system. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, it could be a great opportunity to improve health and wellbeing after a hospital stay.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients diagnosed with heart failure classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class II-III by a physician.
• • Approval from the attending physician to participate in the home-based walking program after discharge.
• • Aged between 18 and 80 years.
• • Patients unable to attend outpatient cardiac rehabilitation.
• • No regular exercise habits, such as performing less than 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week.
• • Able to walk independently without the aid of assistive devices.
• • Patients with clear consciousness, no cognitive impairment, and no history of mental illness.
• • Able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese dialect.
• • Willing to participate in the study, sign the informed consent form, and comply with the home-based walking program.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients diagnosed with heart failure classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV by a physician.
• • Patients diagnosed with depression by a psychiatrist.
• • Patients with cognitive impairment or language communication disorders.
• • Patients who are bedridden for an extended period.