ROLE OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION IN IMPROVING HEALTH STATUS & QUALITY OF LIFE OF HEART FAILURE PATIENTS- A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Objective: To assess the role of cardiac rehabilitation in improving the health status and quality of life in heart failure patients. The main outcome measures were functional health status and health-related quality of life.

Study Design: Double blinded parallel randomized trial.

Place and Duration of Study: Outpatient department, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi, from Jul to Dec 2018.

Methodology: A study was conducted using purposive sampling at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology. Screening as per eligibility criterion and informed consent was taken till sample size of 272 was achieved. Randomisation was done by computer generator on the basis of equal allocation i.e., 1:1 ratio (randomization unit were patients); outpatient usual care (control arm) or usual care plus cardiac rehabilitation (experimental arm). Interventions included education, 6-minute walk, dietary and psychosocial counselling on fortnightly basis. The main outcome measures were functional status (NYHA, Ejection fraction) and health-related quality of life measured using MLHF Questionnaire. Outcomes were assessed by cardiologist masked to the intervention.

Results: Significant improvements were found in NYHA classification, Ejection Fraction and MLHF score at baseline & after 8 weeks of intervention between both the groups (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation is an effective intervention in improving the health status and QoL in heart failure patients.