Study of the Effect of Exercise Training on Patients in Atrial Fibrillation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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PURPOSE Physical exercise is beneficial for patients with ischemic heart disease and chronic heart failure, while little is known about the effect in atrial fibrillation (AF). The investigators studied the effect of physical exercise on cardiac output (CO), max. exercise capacity, biomarkers and quality of life (Qol) in patients with AF in a randomised study of physical exercise training three times weekly for twelve weeks. HYPOTHESIS Exercise training improves cardiac output (CO), max. exercise capacity, biomarkers and quality of life (Qol) in patients with AF. METHODS Assessment of exercise capacity, CO, Qol, body composition, six minute walk test and muscular strength was performed before and after 12 weeks. Resting echocardiography was done at baseline. CO was measured using impedance cardiography at rest and during maximal exercise testing on an ergometer bicycle. Body composition, muscular strength and six minutes walking capacity were measured before and after the training period. Qol was evaluated by the use of the standardized validated questionnaires Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF-Q). Training consisted of aerobic exercise at 70 percent of max. capacity estimated by Borg-scale.

Official Title
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Randomised Study of the Effect of Exercise Training on Patients in Atrial Fibrillation

Conditions
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Atrial Fibrillation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: exercise training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult subjects in permanent atrial fibrillation, willing to participate in a 12 weeks training program and able to give informed consent to participation were eligible for the study. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects with severe refractory hypertension previous heart valve surgery, moderate to severe COPD restrictive lung disease, moderate to severe asthma pregnant or lactating subjects patients with a very low life expectancy patients who were unable to exercise or comply with the study protocol

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: No intervention<br>Observation only | |
| Experimental: Exercise training group<br>Group exercise training, three times weekly high-intensity | Behavioral: exercise training<br>* group based exercise training<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| cardiac output | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | 
| Quality of life | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | 
| exercise capacity | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| muscle strength | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | 
| biomarkers ANB, BNP | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | 
| Body composition DEXA-scan | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | participants will be followed for the duration of the intervention, an average of 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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atrial fibrillation, exercise training