TITLE:
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Effects on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Stable Chronic Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
AUTHORS:
Valérie Ndobo, Doris Ekoume Bwemba, Siddikatou Djibrilla, Guy Sadeu Wafeu, Samuel Mbouh, Claude Elysée Bika Lele, Hermann Tsague, Sylvie Ndongo, Félicité Kamdem, Samuel Mandengue, Alain Patrick Menanga, Jérôme Boombhi, Liliane Mfeukeu-Kuate
KEYWORDS:
Cardiac Rehabilitation, Functional Capacity, Quality of Life, Heart Failure
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.15 No.11,
November
3,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global health burden, necessitating effective management strategies. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a seven-week cardiac rehabilitation program on functional capacity and quality of life in patients with stable chronic HF. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either a rehabilitation group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The mean age of participants was 62.9 ± 9.45 years in the intervention group and 60.3 ± 8.23 years with extremes ranging from 45 years to 79 years. The male gender was the most represented in both groups, with a rate of 70% in the intervention group and 60% in the control group, i.e., a sex ratio of 1.87. The rehabilitation program consisted of structured exercise, education, and psychological support. Functional capacity was assessed using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), exercise testing, and estimated VO2max. Quality of life, anxiety, and depression were measured using validated questionnaires. Hemodynamic parameters and physical activity levels were also evaluated. Results: Results demonstrated significant improvements in the rehabilitation group compared to the control group; specifically a significant increase in 6MWT distance (p Conclusions: A seven-week cardiac rehabilitation program significantly improved functional capacity, quality of life, and psychological well-being in patients with stable chronic HF. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating cardiac rehabilitation into the comprehensive management of HF patients.