Relationship Between the Face Scale for Rating of Perceived Exertion and Physiological Parameters in Older Adults and Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background: The Borg scale is used to determine exercise intensity in rehabilitation but can be difficult for older adults to understand. By contrast, face scale that are used to evaluate pain are much easier to understand thanks to the inclusion of illustrations. On the other hand, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with age. We aimed to investigate the correlation between face scale for rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and various physiological parameters during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in older adults and AF patients. We also investigated the relationship between Face Scale and anaerobic threshold (AT).Methods: Patients were asked to perform a ramp cardiopulmonary exercise test with an incremental increase in work rate (WR) of 10 watts/min, using a stationary bicycle until maximum fatigue. We recorded participant responses using a face scale for RPE compared with WR, heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO₂), and minute ventilation (VE) every minute during the exercise test. We determined the AT by the V-slope method.Results: We enrolled 90 sinus rhythm (SR) patients (74 men 16 women) and 22 AF patients. For SR men, SR women and AF, there were significant positive correlations between the face scale RPE and HR, VO₂, WR, and VE. There was no statistically significant differences difference in correlation coefficient between age and SR or AF. The cutoff value for AT of the Face Scale was “4” and it showed high sensitivity and specificity.Conclusions: These results suggest that the face scale can be used to determine the intensity of physical exercise equivalent to AT unaffected by age, gender, SR or AF.