Impact of a home-based walking and resistance training program on quality of life in patients with heart failure

Patients with heart failure (HF) often have profound activity limitations a nd diminished quality of life (QOL) due to symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue. Although recent studies demonstrate positive physiologic and psychological benefits of low to moderate intensity, supervised, aerobic exercise traini ng performed 3 to 5 days/week for 20 to 40 minutes' duration, in a monitore d setting, the efficacy of a home-based exercise program combining enduranc e and resistance exercise on symptoms and QOL, are unknown, This randomized controlled study examined the efficacy, safety, and adherence rates of a 3 -month home-based combined walking and resistance exercise program on sympt oms and QOL in 40 women and men aged 30 to 76 years with New York Heart Ass ociation class II to III HF. Baseline and 3-month evaluations consisted of a chronic HF questionnaire to assess symptoms and QOL and exercise capacity by symptom-limited treadmill exercise test with respiratory gas analysis. The exercise intervention improved fatigue (p = 0.02), emotional function ( p = 0.01), and mastery (p = 0.04). Overall exercise adherence was excellent (90%) and there were no reported adverse events. A moderate intensity home -based combined walking and resistance program for patients with class II t o III HF is safe and effective in reducing symptoms and improving QOL. (C)2 000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.