The Effects of Exercise Training on Fatigue and Dyspnea in Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: Physiological benefits of exercise training for heart failure (HF) patients have been demonstrated, however little is known about the effects of training on the symptoms of fatigue and dyspnea. AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine HF symptoms of fatigue and dyspnea in response to a 24-week exercise training intervention. METHODS: This pilot study was a randomized, two-group repeated measures design. Fifteen subjects in the intervention group completed a combination of aerobic and resistance training three times per week in a standard cardiac rehabilitation setting. The control group consisted of 6 subjects who were instructed not to begin any formal exercise program during the 24-week intervention. RESULTS: Subjects (19 males and 2 females) had a mean age of 66.2+/-10.2 years and mean ejection fraction (EF) of 28.4+/-7.4%. Non-parametric Friedman Analysis of Variance by Ranks showed the exercise group significantly decreased sensory fatigue (Piper Fatigue Scale) over time (chi(2)=6.49, p=.04) while the control group did not change (chi(2)=0.93, p=.63). Dyspnea showed a non-significant decrease over time for the exercise group (chi(2)=4.16, p=.13) while the control group showed a decrease from baseline to 12 weeks but an increase to above baseline values by week 24 (chi(2)=0.18, p=.91). CONCLUSION: These results provide support for the beneficial effects of exercise training on symptoms of fatigue and dyspnea in HF patients. Larger studies to evaluate symptom response to exercise are needed.