Key result
An obesity-focused cardiac rehabilitation program did not significantly reduce atrial fibrillation symptom burden at 18 months compared to standard cardiac rehabilitation (mean difference -0.28).
Why the study?
Whether cardiac rehabilitation tailored for patients with obesity is effective in reducing atrial fibrillation symptom burden remains uncertain.
Does an obesity-focused cardiac rehabilitation program reduce atrial fibrillation symptom burden in patients with non-valvular AF and obesity?
RCT (n=68)
Open-label
Randomized
Does an obesity-focused cardiac rehabilitation program reduce atrial fibrillation symptom burden in patients with non-valvular AF and obesity?
Mean Difference: -0.28 (95% CI -4.52–3.95)
Absolute Event Rate: 15.2% vs 15.5%
An obesity-focused cardiac rehabilitation program did not significantly reduce atrial fibrillation symptom burden compared to standard cardiac rehabilitation over 18 months.
May support obesity-focused rehabilitation for AF symptom control; leaves open efficacy confirmation in randomized trials.
Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) [ 1 ]. Sustained weight loss and regular exercise are therefore key components of AF management [ 2 ]. In symptomatic AF populations, comprehensive risk factor management programmes targeting weight loss, physical activity, and behavioural change have been associated with reduced AF recurrence and symptom burden [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) provides a scalable framework for lifestyle modification, risk factor management (including weight loss), and improvement of exercise capacity and quality of life [ 5 ]. Whether CR, particularly when tailored for patients with obesity, is effective to reduce AF symptom burden remains uncertain [ 6 ]. We therefore evaluated the effect of an obesity-focused CR programme on AF symptom burden in patients with non-valvular AF [ 7 ].
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Limpt et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in Non-valvular atrial fibrillation and obesity (n=68). Obesity-focused cardiac rehabilitation program (OPTICARE XL) vs. Standard cardiac rehabilitation was evaluated on Atrial fibrillation symptom burden at 18 months (AFSS total score) (MD -0.28, 95% CI -4.52 to 3.95). An obesity-focused cardiac rehabilitation program did not significantly reduce atrial fibrillation symptom burden at 18 months compared to standard cardiac rehabilitation (mean difference -0.28).
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