Tai Chi Mind-Body Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure (NEXT-Heart)
Heart Failure
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Heart Failure focused on measuring Complementary Therapies, Tai Chi
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of chronic HF Percentage of blood pumped from the left ventricle (ventricular ejection fraction) less than 40% for at least 1 year prior to study entry Stable medical regimen, defined as no major changes in medication, in the 3 months prior to study entry New York Heart Association Classification of Class I (no activity limitations), Class II (slight activity limitations), or Class III (marked activity limitations) English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: Unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac resynchronization, or major cardiac surgery within 3 months prior to study entry History of cardiac arrest or diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy within 6 months prior to study entry Unstable ventricular arrhythmias or structural valvular disease Current participation in a conventional cardiac rehabilitation program Inability to perform a bicycle stress test at study entry Lower extremity amputation or other inability to walk due to conditions other than HF Severe cognitive dysfunction preventing informed consent and understanding of tai chi concept Current regular practice of tai chi Current participation in a tai chi pilot study or other studies
Sites / Locations
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Lown Cardiovascular Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Tai Chi
Heart Health Education
12-week tai chi program
12-week attention control