Randomized Trial of Nordic Walking vs. Standard Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Heart Failure
Heart Failure
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Heart Failure
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patient has a confirmed diagnosis of HF based on a HF admission and/or a clear diagnosis of HF and/or reduced ejection fraction (≤45% measured by echocardiography within the last six months);
- Patient is referred to cardiac rehabilitation program;
- Patient is willing to attend an onsite cardiac rehabilitation program twice weekly for 12 weeks;
- In the opinion of the referring physician, the patient is medically stable, and able to participate in an exercise program
- Patient is able, in the opinion of the qualified investigator, to comprehend and participate in the exercise intervention;
- Patient is 18 years of age or older;
- Patient is willing to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patient is unable to read and understand English or French
- Patient intends to begin cardiac rehabilitation within the next 6 weeks
- Patient is unwilling or unable to return for follow-up visits at 12 and 26 weeks;
- Patient is currently using Nordic Walking poles.
Sites / Locations
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Nordic Walking Group
Standard Exercise Therapy
Participants in the Nordic walking group will be provided with walking poles (GymstickTM Nordic Walking Poles, Gymstick International OY, Lahti, Finland) for the duration of the study. They will attend on-site exercise classes twice weekly for 12 weeks. The on-site exercise training classes will be one hour in length and include the following components: a 15 minute chair warm-up that excludes resistance exercises; 10-15 minutes of walking with Nordic walking poles for the first 3 weeks, progressing to 30 minutes of continuous walking with poles for the remaining 9 weeks; and 15 minutes of cool down exercises. Participants will be instructed to take the walking poles home and perform 200-400 minutes of Nordic walking per week for 12 weeks
Individuals assigned to standard exercise therapy will attend on-site exercise classes twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each on-site class will be one hour in duration and consist of: a 15-minute chair-based warm-up that includes 6-8 upper and lower body resistance training exercises using either hand-held weights or therabands at an intensity of 50-60% of 1- RM with the patient completing one set of 10-12 repetitions progressing to 15 repetitions before increasing the intensity by 5-10%; 10-15 minutes of walking for the first 3 weeks, progressing to 30 minutes of continuous walking for the remaining 9 weeks; and 15 minutes of cool down exercises. A strength training program will be provided to participants and they will be encouraged to do one additional strength training session at home. Participants will also be instructed to complete additional walking sessions at home so that they can accumulate a total of 200-400 minutes of exercise per week.