Effect of Exercise Training on the Quality of Life and Echocardiography Parameter of Systolic Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: a Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND: Ejection fraction promotion in heart failure patients reduces mortalities and limitations. OBJECTIVES: This study was to investigate the effect of exercise on ejection fraction of chronic heart failure patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on patients with chronic heart failure. 66 patients were divided randomly into two experimental and control groups of 33 each. The subjects were male and female. The patients in experimental group followed an exercise program three sessions per week for 24 weeks. Echocardiography and quality of life questionnaire were used to gather data. The data were analyzed by SPSS 18 through pair and independent t-test. RESULTS: The results indicated a significant difference in left ventricular diameter (LV-ESD, LV-EDD) and ejection fraction at the end of exercise program in experimental group and 24 weeks after in control group. There was a significant difference in quality of life in physical performance, activity limitation following physical problems, energy and fatigue, social performance, physical pain, and public health (P < 0.05 for all) between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise program increases ejection fraction and quality of life in chronic heart failure patients, associated with management of disease by health team.