Key result
Aerobic exercise decreased depression severity and improved self-efficacy at 8 weeks in patients with an ICD, though effects waned at 24 weeks.
Why the study?
The study was designed to evaluate quality of life, psychological function, and self-efficacy outcomes of aerobic exercise in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Does aerobic exercise improve quality of life, psychological distress, and self-efficacy in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator?
RCT (n=160)
Randomized
Does aerobic exercise improve quality of life, psychological distress, and self-efficacy in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator?
An 8-week home walking program improves short-term depression and self-efficacy in ICD patients, though benefits wane by 24 weeks without continued adherence.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports short-term aerobic exercise to ease depression in ICD patients; extends RCT evidence on self-efficacy but questions durability without ongoing adherence.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL), psychological function, and self-efficacy outcomes in the Anti-Arrhythmic Effects of Exercise After an ICD Trial. METHODS: In the Anti-Arrhythmic Effects of Exercise After an ICD Trial, 160 patients (124 men and 36 women) who had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for primary (43%) or secondary (57%) prevention were randomized to exercise (EX, n = 84) or usual care (UC, n = 76). The EX consisted of 8 wk of home walking 1 hr/d 5 d/wk, followed by 16 wk of maintenance home walking for 150 min/wk. Adherence was determined from exercise logs, ambulatory HR recordings, and phone calls. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 8, and 24 wk for QOL: Patient Concerns Assessment and Short Form-36; anxiety: State Trait Anxiety Inventory; depression: Physician Health Questionnaire-Depression; and self-efficacy: Self-Efficacy for Walking Scale. RESULTS: Participants averaged 55 ± 12 yr of age with ejection fraction = 40.6 ± 15.7%. The EX significantly decreased depression severity (EX: 1.33 ± 0.64; UC: 1.51 ± 0.86, P = .05) and improved self-efficacy (EX: 7.65 ± 1.97; UC: 6.85 ± 2.40, P = .05) at 8 wk. There were no significant effects at 24 wk. Adherent exercisers had significant improvements in QOL, psychological, and self-efficacy outcomes at 8 and 24 wk compared with those who were nonadherent. There were no implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks associated with exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The EX conferred significant effects on depression and self-efficacy at 8 wk, without effects on QOL. Adherent exercisers experienced significant improvements in outcomes over those who were nonadherent or received UC.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dougherty et al. (2019) conducted an RCT in Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (n=160). Aerobic exercise vs. Usual care was evaluated on Depression severity at 8 weeks (p=0.05). Aerobic exercise decreased depression severity and improved self-efficacy at 8 weeks in patients with an ICD, though effects waned at 24 weeks.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: