The Health Benefits of a 12-Week Home-Based Interval Training Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: Recently, high-intensity interval training has been advocated for the rehabilitation of persons living with heart failure (HF). Home-based training is more convenient for many patients and could augment compliance. However, the safety and efficacy of home-based interval training remains unclear.

Methods: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a supervised home-based exercise program involving a combination of interval and resistance training. Measures of aerobic power, endurance capacity, ventilatory threshold, and quality of life in 40 patients with HF, were taken at baseline and after 12 weeks. Patients were matched and randomized to either control (CTL; n = 20) or experimental (EXP; n = 20) conditions. The EXP group underwent a 12-week high-intensity interval and resistance training program while the CTL group maintained their usual activities of daily living.

Results: In the EXP group, we found a significant improvement in aerobic power, endurance capacity, ventilatory threshold, and quality of life. There were no significant changes in the CTL group.

Conclusions: We have shown that a home-based cardiac rehabilitation program involving interval and resistance training is associated with improved aerobic capacity and quality of life in patients with HF. This research has important implications for the treatment of HF.