Background:
Adequate sleep improves physical and mental alertness. However, there is a dearth of empirical data on functional capacity (FC) and sleep quality (SpQ) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).
Objective:
This study investigated the relationship between FC and SpQ of patients with CHF and apparently healthy controls (HCs).
Methods:
This case-control study recruited 50 patients with CHF whose left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was <40%, attending cardiac clinics of selected government hospitals in Osun State. Furthermore, 50 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited as controls. Socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular parameters were assessed. The FC (VO
2
max) and SpQ were assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at
p
< 0.05.
Results:
Patients had a significantly lower FC and poorer SpQ than HCs, 4.6 ± 0.5 versus 11.3 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min (
t
= −3.452;
p
= 0.001) and 8.74 ± 1.6 versus 3.8 ± 1.3 (
t
= −5.371;
p
= 0.001), respectively. HCs were about five times more likely to walk longer distance [odds ratio (OR), 4.8; confidence interval (CI), 2.0–11.1] and had a better heart rate (OR, 2.8; CI, 1.4–5.3) than patients. SpQ had a significant negative correlation with FC of patients (
r
= −0.362;
p
= 0.001) but a significant positive correlation with HCs (
r
= 0.481;
p
= 0.041). Furthermore, there were significant correlations between FC and body mass index in both groups (CHF:
r
= 0.247,
p
= 0.022; HCs:
r
= 0.321,
p
= 0.040).
Conclusion:
Patients with heart failure demonstrated lower functional capacity and poorer sleep quality.
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 sig-* Corresponding author.
T. O. Awotidebe et al.
548nificant 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 VO 2 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 VO 2 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.
This study investigated the relationships among exercise capacity (EC), dynamic balance (DB), and gait characteristics (GCs) of patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D) and healthy controls (HCs). This observational controlled study involved 125 patients with T2D receiving treatment at a Nigerian university teaching hospital and 125 apparently healthy patients’ relatives and hospital staff recruited as controls. EC maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) was estimated following a 6-min walk test. DB and GC were assessed using the Time Up to Go Test and an accelerometer (BTS G-Walk) assessing gait speed, step length, stride length, and cadence respectively during a self-selected walk. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at P<0.05. The mean ages of patients with T2D and HCs were 57.6±6.6 and 60.0±7.0 years, respectively. All physical characteristics were comparable (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the VO2max and DB between patients with T2D and HCs; 7.6±0.6 mL/kg/min vs. 9.6±0.6 mL/kg/min (t=−16.6, P=0.001) and 14.2±2.1 sec vs. 10.4±1.5 sec (t=−6.37, P=0.001), respectively. Furthermore, significant differences were found in GC between patients with T2D and HCs; gait speed: 0.7±0.1 m/sec vs. 1.2±0.1 m/sec (t=−16.60, P=0.001), step length: 0.6±0.2 m vs. 0.9±0.3 m (t=−7.56, P=0.001) and stride length: 0.9±0.1 m vs. 1.1±0.5 m (t=−6.09, P=0.001). There were significant correlations between EC and gait speed in both groups (T2D: r=−0.26, P=0.032 and HCs: r=0.51, P=0.003). In conclusion, patients with T2D demonstrated lower EC, unstable DB, and altered GCs compared with HCs. Exercise interventions to improve EC and gait balance are recommended.
Participants with COPD demonstrated reduced respiratory parameter values and low exercise capacity but moderate PESE. We found significant correlations between exercise capacity and respiratory parameter values, but PESE was correlated with only gait speed and RPE. The study has implications for respiratory health promotion and exercise adherence.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.