The effects of exercise on VO2peak, quality of life and hospitalization in heart failure patients: A systematic review with meta-analyses

Exercise interventions for patients with heart failure: an evidence map

Background and aims

Although exercise performance is an essential tool for managing heart failure, there is still no consensus on whether exercise prescriptions can be universally applied to all types of heart failure patients. This study aimed to describe and evaluate the evidence on exercise interventions for patients with heart failure by creating an evidence map.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, VIP Database to identify systematic reviews and meta-analysis. We used A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) to evaluate the quality of included systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Bubble charts were employed to visualize key characteristics like intervention effectiveness, literature quality, literature quantity, and heart failure types. Matrix bubble charts were used to show the distribution of outcome indicators, exercise methods, literature quantity, and heart failure types.

Results

A total of 113 systematic reviews/meta-analyses were included and over 80% of studies conclude that exercise is beneficial for heart failure patients. Three heart failure types involved varied due to different classification criteria used in the included literature. Eleven types of exercise interventions have been applied in patients with heart failure and mixed modality exercise is the exercise type with the highest attention. Existing researches focus more on the improvement of exercise capacity and cardiorespiratory function in heart failure patients. Most researchers tend to focus on conducting exercise intervention studies in HFrEF.

Conclusions

The evidence map provides a visual overview of the research volume and findings on exercise interventions for heart failure patients. Exercise interventions have significant advantages for heart failure patients, but there is room for improvement in study quality, heart failure classification, and outcome indicators. Future research should focus on designing more high-quality studies to provide more high-level evidence for this field.

Effect of an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program on quality of life of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: results from the PEACH randomized clinical trial

To investigate the effect of an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). PEACH study was a single-center, superiority randomized clinical trial of exercise training versus no exercise (control). The sample comprised Chagas disease patients with CCC, left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%, without or with HF symptoms (CCC stages B2 or C, respectively). QoL was assessed at baseline, after three months, and at the end of six months of follow-up using the SF-36 questionnaire. Patients randomized for the exercise group (n = 15) performed exercise training (aerobic, strength and stretching exercises) for 60 min, three times a week, during six months. Patients in the control group (n = 15) were not provided with a formal exercise prescription. Both groups received identical nutritional and pharmaceutical counseling during the study. Longitudinal analysis of the effects of exercise training on QoL, considering the interaction term (group × time) to estimate the rate of changes between groups in the outcomes (represented as beta coefficient), was performed using linear mixed models. Models were fitted adjusting for each respective baseline QoL value. There were significant improvements in physical functioning (β =  + 10.7; p = 0.02), role limitations due to physical problems (β =  + 25.0; p = 0.01), and social functioning (β =  + 19.2; p < 0.01) scales during the first three months in the exercise compared to the control group. No significant differences were observed between groups after six months. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation provided short-term improvements in the physical and mental aspects of QoL of patients with CCC.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02517632; August 7, 2015.

Reduced cardiovascular reserve capacity in long-term allogeneic stem cell transplant survivors

Premature cardiovascular mortality is increased in long-term allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) survivors, but little information exists regarding subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction in this population. We compared peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O_2peak), a prognostic cardiovascular marker, and its determinants between long-term allo-SCT survivors and non-cancer controls. Fourteen allo-SCT survivors (mean ± SD, 44 ± 15 years, 50% male, median time since allo-SCT: 6.5 years [range 2-20]) and 14 age- and sex-matched controls (46 ± 13 years, 50% male) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to quantify [Formula: see text]O_2peak. Resting echocardiography (left-ventricular ejection fraction and strain), exercise cardiac MRI (peak cardiac and stroke volume index [CI_peak, SVI_peak]), biochemistry (hemoglobin, troponin-I, B-natriuretic peptide), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (lean [LM] and fat [FM] mass, percent body fat [%BF]) and Fick-principal calculation (arteriovenous oxygen difference) were also performed. Survivors exhibited impaired [Formula: see text]O_2peak as compared with controls (25.9 ± 5.1 vs. 33.7 ± 6.5 ml kg^-1 min^-1, p = 0.002), which coincided with reduced CI_peak (6.6 ± 0.8 vs. 8.6 ± 1.9 L min^-1 m^-2; p = 0.001) secondary to reduced SVI_peak (48 ± 4 vs. 61 ± 8 ml m^-2; p < 0.001) rather than chronotropic impairment, and higher %BF (difference, 7.9%, p = 0.007) due to greater FM (5.8 kg; p = 0.069) and lower LM (4.3 kg, p = 0.25). All other measures were similar between groups. Despite comparable resting cardiac function and biomarker profiles, survivors exhibited reduced [Formula: see text]O_2peak and exercise cardiac function and increased %BF relative to controls. These results highlight potential therapeutic avenues and the utility of exercise-based cardiovascular assessment in unmasking cardiovascular dysfunction in allo-SCT survivors.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin Pill Combined with Exercise in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Single-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin Pill combined with exercise in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

METHODS

Sixty patients with HFpEF were randomly divided into group A (n=20), receiving Shexiang Baoxin Pill combined with home-based exercise training based on conventional drugs for 12 weeks; group B (n=20), receiving conventional drugs combined with home-based exercise training for 12 weeks; and group C (n=20), receiving conventional drug treatment only. Peak oxygen uptake (peakVO₂), anaerobic threshold (AT), 6-min walking test (6MWT), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and SF-36 questionnaire (SF-36) results before and after treatment were compared among groups.

RESULTS

After the 12-week intervention, patients in group C showed significant declines in peakVO₂, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 compared with pre-treatment (P<0.01), while groups A and B both showed significant improvements in peakVO₂, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 results compared with pre-treatment (P<0.01). Compared with group C, patients in groups A and B showed significant improvements in peakVO₂, AT, 6MWT, PSQI, and SF-36 (P<0.01). In addition, patients in group A showed more significant improvements in physical function, role-physical, vitality, and mental health scores on the SF-36 questionnaire, and PSQI scores than those in group B (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise training improved exercise tolerance, sleep quality and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HFpEF. Notably, Shexiang Baoxin Pill played an active role in sleep quality and QoL of patients with HFpEF. (The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2100054322)).

Exercise and nutritional interventions on sarcopenia and frailty in heart failure: a narrative review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

The purpose of this review is to describe the present evidence for exercise and nutritional interventions as potential contributors in the treatment of sarcopenia and frailty (i.e. muscle mass and physical function decline) and the risk of cardiorenal metabolic comorbidity in people with heart failure (HF). Evidence primarily from cross-sectional studies suggests that the prevalence of sarcopenia in people with HF is 37% for men and 33% for women, which contributes to cardiac cachexia, frailty, lower quality of life, and increased mortality rate. We explored the impact of resistance and aerobic exercise, and nutrition on measures of sarcopenia and frailty, and quality of life following the assessment of 35 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The majority of clinical trials have focused on resistance, aerobic, and concurrent exercise to counteract the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength in people with HF, while promising effects have also been shown via utilization of vitamin D and iron supplementation by reducing tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), c-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Experimental studies combining the concomitant effect of exercise and nutrition on measures of sarcopenia and frailty in people with HF are scarce. There is a pressing need for further research and well-designed clinical trials incorporating the anabolic and anti-catabolic effects of concurrent exercise and nutrition strategies in people with HF.

Outcome of survivors of COVID-19 in the intermediate phase of recovery: A case report

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease and is associated with significant morbidity in the intermediate and chronic phases of recovery from the disease. The health benefits of respiratory and extremity muscle strengthening exercise therapy are well-described for those with cardiac failure and interstitial lung disease and are suggested to improve functional ability for patients recovering from COVID-19. The aim of this case report is to share the effects of standard physiotherapy management on exercise endurance, respiratory function and return to work, implemented for patients with COVID-19 in the intermediate phase of their recovery.

Patient presentation

Two cases of COVID-19 were admitted to a private healthcare facility in Johannesburg. They presented with shortness of breath and decreased endurance. One had COVID-19 myocarditis and the other chronic post-COVID-19 organising pneumonia with pulmonary fibrosis.

Management and outcome

Both patients were admitted to ICU, provided oxygen therapy and supportive care as well as physiotherapy management in hospital and after hospital discharge. Physiotherapy management included inspiratory muscle training therapy, and cardiovascular and resistance exercise therapy. Improvements in peak expiratory flow rate and six-minute walk distance were observed for both cases at 6- and 7-months follow-up, respectively.

Conclusion

Our case report illustrates the value of ongoing physiotherapy management, utilising progressive exercise therapy prescription, to aid the return to optimal functioning for survivors of COVID-19 in the intermediate phase of their recovery.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs in the era of COVID-19: a critical review

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Increased rates of morbidity and mortality have led to the increased need for the implementation of secondary prevention interventions. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) represents a multifactorial intervention, including elements of physical exercise and activity, education regarding healthy lifestyle habits (smoking cessation, nutritional habits), to improve the physical capacity and psychological status of cardiac patients. However, participation rates in CR programs remain low due to socioeconomic, geographical and personal barriers. Recently the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have added another barrier to CR programs. Therefore there is an emerging need to further improve the types and methods of implementing CR. Cardiac telerehabilitation, integrating advanced technology for both monitoring and communicating with the cardiac population, appears to be an innovative CR alternative that can overcome some of the barriers preventing CR participation. This review paper aims to describe the background and core components of center-based CR and cardiac telerehabilitation, and discuss their implications for present day clinical practice and their future perspectives.