Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Effects on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Stable Chronic Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global health burden, necessitating effective management strategies. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a seven-week cardiac rehabilitation program on functional capacity and quality of life in patients with stable chronic HF. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either a rehabilitation group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The mean age of participants was 62.9 ± 9.45 years in the intervention group and 60.3 ± 8.23 years with extremes ranging from 45 years to 79 years. The male gender was the most represented in both groups, with a rate of 70% in the intervention group and 60% in the control group, i.e., a sex ratio of 1.87. The rehabilitation program consisted of structured exercise, education, and psychological support. Functional capacity was assessed using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), exercise testing, and estimated VO2max. Quality of life, anxiety, and depression were measured using validated questionnaires. Hemodynamic parameters and physical activity levels were also evaluated. Results: Results demonstrated significant improvements in the rehabilitation group compared to the control group; specifically a significant increase in 6MWT distance (p Conclusions: A seven-week cardiac rehabilitation program significantly improved functional capacity, quality of life, and psychological well-being in patients with stable chronic HF. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating cardiac rehabilitation into the comprehensive management of HF patients.