Non-pharmacological interventions in older people with heart failure: effects of exercise training and relaxation therapy

Abstract

Background: Effective management of heart failure relies on optimal use of non-pharmacological therapy alongside medical treatment. Yet, there is an inadequate use of non-pharmacological therapy in caring for older people with heart failure.

Objective: To examine the effects of relaxation therapy and exercise training on psychological outcomes and disease-specific quality of life of older heart failure patients.

Methods: Subjects undertook relaxation (n = 59), exercise training (n = 32) or received attention placebo (n = 62) for 12 weeks. The relaxation group attended two training sessions, one revision workshop, and continued with twice-daily taped-directed home relaxation practice, with support from the intervener through bi-weekly telephone contact, for 12 weeks. The exercise group undertook 12 weekly sessions of resistance training and aerobic exercise and thrice weekly home exercise. The control group received regular telephone calls for general 'greetings'.

Results: The relaxation and exercise groups reported a significantly greater improvement in psychological [F(2, 149) = 6.69, p = 0.002] and various disease-specific quality of life outcomes [dyspnea: F(2, 149) = 5.72, p = 0.004; fatigue: F(2, 149) = 3.78, p = 0.25; emotion: F(2, 149) = 6.68, p = 0.001], compared with those who received the attention placebo. While relaxation therapy was more effective to reduce psychological distress, with depression in particular (p < 0.001), exercise therapy worked better to control fatigue symptoms (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Relaxation therapy and exercise training are effective to improve the psychological and physical health of older heart failure patients. They should be used as an individual treatment modality, or as care components of a disease management program.