A group-based exercise program did not improve physical activity in patients with chronic heart failure and comorbidity: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate how group-based exercise affects the levels of physical activity, physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic heart failure and comorbidities. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Patients: A total of 48 patients (10 women, 38 men), mean age 71 years (standard deviation 8 years), ejection fraction 27% (standard deviation 10%), and New York Heart Association functional class I-III. Methods: A bicycle test, 6-min walk test (6MWT) and muscle endurance tests were performed. Physical activity was assessed with a pedometer and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), BRQoL was evaluated with the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Patients were randomized to control or intervention groups. Intervention consisted of an individually designed group-based exercise programme twice a week, for a period of 3 months. Subjects in the control group were asked to continue with their usual lives. Results: A total of 42 patients completed the study, and 6 dropped-out. Steps/day did not increase significantly after intervention (p=0.351), but IPAQ score did (p=0.008). Exercise tolerance (p=0.001), 6MWT (p=0.014), shoulder abduction (p=0.028), heel lift (p<0.0001) and BRQoL (p=0.018) improved significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusion: Group-based exercise did not improve the level of physical activity in patients with chronic heart failure and comorbidity; however, physical fitness and HRQoL were significantly improved.