Comparison of supervised exercise training and home-based exercise training in chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES This study was planned to compare the outcomes between supervised and home-based exercise training in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS The study was conducted at the Department of Physical Therapy in Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Turkey between 2000 and 2001. Twenty-two patients with stable chronic heart failure were randomly assigned to the supervised exercise training group (n=11) or the home-based exercise training group (n=11). Symptom-limited maximal exercise tests with gas exchange analysis were carried out before randomization. Work load equivalent to 60% of achieved peak heart rate at the tests was determined as exercise training work load for each subject. Both groups participated in a program of 3 exercise training sessions per week for 3 months. The exercise tests were repeated after 3 months. RESULTS After training, peak exercise duration increased significantly in the supervised exercise training group and the home-based exercise training group (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Supervised and home-based exercise training enhanced exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. The training program must be tailored to each patient's specific limitations, individual needs and possibilities. Home-based exercise training may be a training alternative to stable chronic heart failure patients who prefer not to participate in an outpatient supervised training program.