Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short- and long-term effects of aerobic interval
training on quality of life and on symptoms of anxiety and depression among
patients with ischaemic heart failure and an implantable cardioverter
defibrillator. DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized controlled study. SUBJECTS:
Patients with ischaemic heart failure and an implantable cardioverter
defibrillator, willing to undergo an aerobic interval training programme. A total
of 31 patients were enrolled (19 were assigned to the aerobic interval training
group and 12 to the control group). METHODS: The aerobic interval training group
performed a 12-week exercise training programme. All patients were evaluated with
the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and
the International Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline, after 12 weeks and
at 2 years. RESULTS: The aerobic interval training group showed significant
improvements in several SF-36 subscores at 12 weeks. There was an unadjusted
significant reduction in the HADS depression (HADS-D) score. At follow-up,
results in the aero-bic interval training group moved towards baseline or
remained stable, whereas in the control group HADS-D scores and some SF-36
subscores deteriorated. CONCLUSION: Participation in a 12-week aerobic interval
training programme resulted in significant improvements in several measures of
quality of life and the unadjusted HADS-D score in patients with ischaemic heart
failure with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. At follow-up there was
significantly less sedentary activity in the aerobic interval training group,
while psychometric measures were no longer significantly different from baseline.

Langue : ANGLAIS