Low Intensity Physical Activity in Congestive Heart Failure Patients Among Different BMI

Riphah International University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Heart Failure

Treatments: Behavioral: Low-Intensity Physical Activity; Behavioral: usual care

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07062900

REC/RCR&AHS/24/0360

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study examined the effects of low-intensity physical activity on functional capacity, quality of life, and psychological well-being in congestive heart failure patients with varying BMI. Forty patients were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group followed an 8-week physical activity program, while the control group received usual care. Results showed significant improvement in walk distance, quality of life, and depression scores in the intervention group. The study concludes that low-intensity physical activity effectively improves health outcomes in heart failure patients across different BMI categories.

Full description

This randomized controlled trial explored the effects of low-intensity physical activity on functional capacity, quality of life, and psychological well-being in patients with congestive heart failure across different BMI categories. A total of forty patients were selected and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in an eight-week structured low-intensity physical activity program, while the control group continued with usual care without additional physical activity. Various assessment tools were used to evaluate outcomes, including the 6-minute walk test to measure functional capacity, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire to assess quality of life, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to evaluate psychological well-being. The results demonstrated that although both groups showed some improvement, the intervention group experienced significantly greater gains in all measured outcomes. The 6-minute walk distance increased, KCCQ-12 scores improved notably, and depressive symptoms reduced significantly in the intervention group compared to the control. The study concluded that low-intensity physical activity is an effective and feasible intervention to enhance physical and mental health in congestive heart failure patients, irrespective of their BMI category.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 45 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Hospitalized Congestive heart failure patients
• Age 45-70
• Diagnosed with CHF
• BMI all ranges
• Severely underweight: BMI<16 kg/m2
• Underweight: BMI≥ 16 kg/m2 and <18.5 kg/m2
• Normal weight BMI≥18.5 kg/mg2 and <25kg/m2
• Overweight: BMI ≥25kg/m2 and<30 kg/m2
• Obese: BMI≥30 kg/m2
• Willing to participate in physical activity program

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders
• Severe COPD or other respiratory diseases
• Cognitive impairment
• Cardiac catheter related surgery, valvular surgery within past 6 month
• Recent Lung embolis
• Lung cancer
• Participants in other clinical trial or intervention study

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Low-Intensity Physical Activity Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group underwent an 8-week structured low-intensity physical activity program. The program included gentle walking, use of a portable pedal exerciser, light resistance band exercises, and functional activities like seated leg press and hip circles. Sessions gradually increased in duration and frequency, starting from 2 sessions per week to 3 sessions per week, lasting 20-40 minutes each. The focus was on improving functional capacity, psychological well-being, and quality of life without causing cardiac stress.

Treatment:

Behavioral: usual care

Behavioral: Low-Intensity Physical Activity

Usual Care Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group received standard medical care only, with no additional structured physical activity or intervention. They continued their routine treatment and lifestyle without any specific exercise regimen. This group served as the comparison group to evaluate the effects of the physical activity intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: usual care