Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for one or three montsh after surgical aortic valve replacement, a feasibility study of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common disease. Many patients on the waiting list for surgery cut down on their physical activity resulting in anxiety and reduced physical function. It is important to offer this group exercise-based training in the shape of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after surgery. Aim The primary aim was to study the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial studying if there was any differences in change of level of physical activity and functional exercise capacity after one month of training compared to three months of training. Method A feasibility study of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with one group receiving one month of CR (group A) versus one group receiving three months of CR (group B). Feasibility was measured in terms of recruitment rate, adherence rate, retention rate, adverse events and the ability to collect primary and secondary outcome measurements. Primary outcome measure was 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and secondary outcome measures were heel-lift, 30-second chair stand test (CST), self-perceived physical activity, level of physical activity, factors limiting functional exercise capacity in daily life and current state of self-perceived health. Thirty patients were included in the result. Result Regarding feasibility in this study the recruitment rate was low, but the adherence and retention rates were good. The ability to collect outcome assessment was good and there was only one adverse event. Significant differences were found regarding physical activity and self-perceived health in favor of the three-months training group (group B). There were no differences in 6MWT, heel-lift, CST or physical capacity between the two groups. Conclusion This feasibility study showed that recruitment rate was low but other measures of feasibility was satisfactory. Results indicate that a shorter supervised program may be sufficient and may facilitate effective use of resouces.