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A randomized trial of the effects of exercise training in Chagas cardiomyopathy
Author(s) -
Lima Márcia M.O.,
Rocha Manoel Otávio C.,
Nunes Maria Carmo P.,
Sousa Lidiane,
Costa Henrique S.,
Alencar Maria Clara N.,
Britto Raquel R.,
Ribeiro Antonio Luiz P.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1093/eurjhf/hfq123
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , heart failure , natriuretic peptide , physical therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , cardiology , nursing
Aims The effects of exercise training in chronic heart failure are well established, however, they have not been evaluated in Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChC). We sought to determine the effects of exercise training on functional capacity, health‐related quality of life (HQoL), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with ChC. Methods and results This randomized, controlled, single‐blind trial included 40 patients with ChC (age 49.5 ± 7.8 years, 57.5% male) who did not practice regular exercise. All patients were assessed, at baseline and at the end of the study, by exercise test (VO 2 and exercise time), six‐minute walk test (6MWT), Goldman Specific Activity Scale (SAS), HQoL, and BNP levels. Patients were randomized to inactive control group (ICG = 19) or exercise training group (ETG = 21). Exercise training group patients underwent 12 weeks of exercise training: walking for up to 30 min (intensity 50–70% HR reserve + HR at rest) and warm‐up and cooling‐down exercising, three times a week. The data were analysed for delta values (Δ= end − baseline). After intervention, compared with the ICG, the ETG had significant increases in functional parameters including, ΔVO 2 (6.5 vs. 2.8 mL/kg/min, P = 0.001), Δ exercise time (2.9 vs.1.1 min, P < 0.001), Δ6MWT distance (83.5 vs. 2.0 m, P = 0.001) improved ΔSAS (8 vs. 1 patient, P = 0.008), and HQoL: Δ domains vitality (7.5 vs. 0 points, P = 0.013), Δ emotional aspects (16.7 vs. 0 points, P = 0.012), and Δ mental health (16.1 vs. 0 points, P = 0.031). There was no difference in BNP levels. Conclusion In patients with ChC, exercise training was associated with a major improvement in functional capacity and HQoL without any adverse effects.