EffectiVenEss of a Rehabilitation Treatment With Nordic Walking in obEse or oveRweight Patients (VENERE)

Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Overweight and Obesity; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabete Type 2

Treatments: Other: Standard Rehabilitation (SR); Other: Cardiological Counselling (CC); Other: Nordic Walking (NW)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05987410

27/2023/CE_FdG/FC/SA

Details and patient eligibility

About

Nordic Walking (NW) is a biomechanically correct walking technique that originated in Finland in the 1930s as an off-season training method for cross-country skiers. In the NW, the use of special sticks is combined with "conventional" walking: this involves a greater caloric expenditure, with an energy consumption higher by 20-30% compared to walking without sticks, and also toning of the upper part of the body, in particular triceps, shoulders and back, and the involvement of about 90% of the body's muscles, while maintaining a reduced load on ligaments and joints (Baek & Ha, 2021). The NW acts simultaneously and effectively on different components of fitness: coordination, endurance, strength, and mobility. It does not require sudden accelerations and is based on a technique that is easy to learn (with the help of an instructor), especially as regards maintaining correct posture. Finally, in addition to the cardiovascular benefits, NW has also been shown to effectively reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. The study is a single-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT), with a three-parallel-arm design, open-label. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy (in terms of cardiovascular performance), safety, and adherence (in terms of dropout rate) to the exercise prescription after 6 and 12 months follow-up of a 3-month NW intervention compared with standard rehabilitation training (SR, 3 months) in obese/overweight diabetic patients with cardiovascular (CV) complications. The study will enroll in parallel a control group that can access only generic cardiological counseling with a prescription for unsupervised home exercise.

Enrollment: 105 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• overweight [Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2] or obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) adult patients with diabetes mellitus and with a recent cardiovascular event and/or coronary revascularization in the previous three months

Exclusion criteria

• inability to walk independently and constantly;
• acute joint or spine pathologies that make movement impossible;
• the presence of dementia as approved by consultation of the patient's medical record and/or administration of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) test ≤ 15.5 (Nasreddine et al., 2005);
• chemotherapy 6 months before surgery;
• advanced renal failure;
• acute cardiovascular event < 3 months (unstable angina, AMI with FE <40%, arrhythmias, valvular disease, intracerebral/subdural haemorrhage, uncontrolled AI);
• home oxygen therapy and Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) [excluding Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)].

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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105 participants in 3 patient groups

Nordic Walking (NW)

Experimental group

Description:

Nordic walking is a form of physical activity that originated in Finland and has gained popularity worldwide. It involves walking with the use of specially designed poles that resemble ski poles. This activity engages both the upper and lower body, making it a full-body workout. In summary, Nordic walking offers several benefits for cardiovascular individuals with Type II diabetes and those who are obese or overweight. These benefits include improved heart and lung function, better blood glucose control, weight management, low joint impact, muscle strengthening, improved balance and posture, and social engagement. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program to ensure it is safe and suitable for individual health conditions and goals. Regular monitoring and adjustments by healthcare professionals can help optimize the benefits and ensure ongoing progress.

Treatment:

Other: Nordic Walking (NW)

Standard Rehabilitation (SR)

Active Comparator group

Description:

A standard rehabilitation program for cardiovascular individuals with Type II diabetes and obesity/overweight typically involves a combination of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and education on lifestyle modifications. The program is prescribed by a cardiologist and supervised by physiotherapists or exercise specialists. It includes an initial assessment to determine exercise parameters, cardiovascular exercise to improve heart function and manage blood glucose levels, strength training to increase muscle mass and aid in weight management, education on nutrition and lifestyle modifications, and progress tracking and monitoring to optimize outcomes. These programs provide benefits such as improved cardiovascular fitness, better blood glucose control, weight management, enhanced muscle strength, and overall well-being.

Treatment:

Other: Standard Rehabilitation (SR)

Control Group (CG)

Other group

Description:

Cardiological counseling for cardiovascular individuals with Type II diabetes and obesity/overweight often includes recommendations for unsupervised aerobic physical activity. This type of counseling typically involves a cardiologist providing guidelines and recommendations for safe and effective exercise routines. In summary, it involves an initial assessment to determine exercise capacity and precautions. The cardiologist prescribes specific guidelines for unsupervised aerobic physical activity, including the type, frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise sessions. Safety considerations are provided. The benefits of unsupervised aerobic physical activity include improved cardiovascular health, enhanced blood glucose control, weight management, psychological well-being, and increased energy and stamina.

Treatment:

Other: Cardiological Counselling (CC)