Open AccessExercise and Cognitive Training Intervention Improves Self-Care, Quality of Life and Functional Capacity in Persons With Heart Failure
Author(s) -
Rebecca Gary,
Sudeshna Paul,
Elizabeth J. Corwin,
Brittany Butts,
Andrew H. Miller,
Kenneth Hepburn,
Drenna Waldrop
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied gerontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.857
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1552-4523
pISSN - 0733-4648
DOI - 10.1177/0733464820964338
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , physical therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , aerobic exercise , gerontology , heart failure , intervention (counseling) , flexibility (engineering) , cognition , population , psychology , nursing , psychiatry , statistics , mathematics , environmental health
This study evaluated a 12-week, home-based combined aerobic exercise (walking) and computerized cognitive training (EX/CCT) program on heart failure (HF) self-care behaviors (Self-care of HF Index [SCHFI]), disease specific quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire [KCCQ]), and functional capacity (6-minute walk distance) compared to exercise only (EX) or a usual care attention control (AC) stretching and flexibility program. Participants ( N = 69) were older, predominately female (54%) and African American (55%). There was significant improvement in self-care management, F (2, 13) = 5.7, p < .016; KCCQ physical limitation subscale, F (2, 52) = 3.4, p < .039; and functional capacity (336 ± 18 vs 388 ± 20 m, p < .05) among the EX/CCT participants. The underlying mechanisms that EX and CCT targets and the optimal dose that leads to improved outcomes are needed to design effective interventions for this rapidly growing population.