Structured exercise regimens yielded substantial improvements in exercise endurance, cardiopulmonary fitness, breathing muscle function, and overall functional performance in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.
Systematic Review
Do structured exercise regimens improve functional output, physical capacity, and HRQoL in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices including CSP and CRT?
Structured exercise rehabilitation is a safe and effective strategy to improve functional performance and quality of life in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices, including conduction system pacing and CRT.
Following the implantation of cardiac physiological pacemakers and similar electronic cardiac devices, individuals frequently face a decline in physical activity levels, marked exercise intolerance, compromised functional capacities, and a diminished overall quality of life. These constraints are often aggravated by an underlying fear of physical exertion, pre-existing myocardial dysfunction, bodily deconditioning, and various psychosocial barriers. Consequently, structured exercise rehabilitation has gained substantial attention as a vital, non-pharmacological approach to enhancing both the physiological and psychological well-being of this clinical cohort. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of structured exercise regimens on functional output, physical capacity metrics, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including conduction system pacing (CSP) (His bundle pacing (HBP), left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP)), and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A comprehensive literature retrieval was executed across electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, targeting research published from 2015 to 2026. This investigation considered randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinical trials, comparative analyses, and observational research evaluating exercise-focused interventions in pacemaker and implantable device recipients. Methodological integrity and risk of bias were systematically evaluated using design-appropriate standardized critical appraisal frameworks. Eleven distinct studies fulfilled all specified selection criteria and were incorporated into the final analysis. The synthesized evidence indicates that structured physical regimens comprising aerobic conditioning, resistance training, inspiratory muscle exercises, flexibility workouts, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and remote or home-based telerehabilitation yielded substantial improvements in exercise endurance, cardiopulmonary fitness, breathing muscle function, and overall functional performance. Additionally, multiple investigations highlighted significant advancements in patient self-efficacy, psychological health, and HRQoL metrics. Home-centered and digitally monitored rehabilitation protocols demonstrated strong safety profiles, high feasibility, and excellent patient compliance rates. Methodologically, the majority of the reviewed literature exhibited moderate-to-high quality alongside a low-to-moderate risk of bias. Tailored exercise rehabilitation protocols represent a safe and highly capable strategy for boosting functional performance, physical stamina, and life quality in individuals with cardiac physiological pacemakers and related implantable technologies. Holistic rehabilitation framework combinations incorporating aerobic and strength training, respiratory muscle development, psychosocial counseling, and customized pacing adjustments are essential to accelerating recovery, restoring confidence in physical activity, and maximizing long-term clinical success for this patient population.
Dhaygude et al. (Fri,) conducted a systematic review in Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including conduction system pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy. Structured exercise programs vs. Usual care or no structured exercise was evaluated on Functional output, physical capacity metrics, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Structured exercise regimens yielded substantial improvements in exercise endurance, cardiopulmonary fitness, breathing muscle function, and overall functional performance in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.
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