Author(s)

Taofeek O. Awotidebe^1*, Rufus A. Adedoyin¹, Michael O. Balogun^2,3, Rasaq A. Adebayo^2,3, Victor O. Adeyeye³, Kayode I. Oke⁴, Rita N. Ativie⁵, Anthony O. Akintomide^2,3, Mukadas O. Akindele⁶

¹Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
²Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
³Cardiac Care Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria.
⁵Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
⁶Department of Physiotherapy, College of Allied Health Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of cardiac rehabilitation exercise protocols on physical function (PF) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Study Design and Setting: This randomized controlled trial recruited 70 patients who are in stage II CHF with ejection fraction (≤40%) from a Nigerian university teaching hospital. They were randomly assigned into Exercise Group (EG: n = 35) or Control Group (CG: n = 35). Physical function, activity of daily living (ADL), distance walked in six minutes and grip strength were assessed using a validated ADL questionnaire, six minute walk test and a hand dynamometer respectively. In addition to medication, EG underwent aerobic and upper extremity resistance exercises thrice weekly for eight weeks while CG used medications only. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was at p < 0.05. Results: EG and CG were comparable in age and physical characteristics. Physical function and cardiovascular parameters were comparable at baseline (p > 0.05). Significant improvements were noticed at fourth week among participants’ ADL (30.0% ± 6.0%), 6MWD (321.7 ± 26.3 m) and VO₂ max (8.9 ± 0.4 mL/kg/min) variables within the exercise EG but no significant changes were observed in the CG (p > 0.05). Participants in EG demonstrated more significant improvements in ADL (15.0% ± 5.0%), 6MWD (406.0 ± 29.7 m) and VO₂ max (10.3 ± 0.5 mL/kg/min) (p < 0.05) than CG: ADL (42.0% ± 5.0%), 6MWD (321.0 ± 25.7 m) and VO₂ max (8.9 ± 0.4 mL/kg/min) at eighth (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation exercise protocols involving self-paced walking, sit-to-stand and upper extremity dynamic strength training improved activity of daily living, walking and functional capacity in patients with stable chronic heart failure.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise, Physical Function, Heart Failure

Awotidebe, T. , Adedoyin, R. , Balogun, M. , Adebayo, R. , Adeyeye, V. , I. Oke, K. , Ativie, R. , Akintomide, A. and Akindele, M. (2016) Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Protocols on Physical Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: An Experience from a Resource Constraint Nation. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7, 547-557. doi: 10.4236/ijcm.2016.78060.