Key result
HIIT ranks as the most effective exercise mode for improving LVEF in heart failure patients.
Why the study?
Cardiac rehabilitation is effective for heart failure, but the effect of different modes of delivery on heart failure remains unclear.
Do different modes of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improve functional capacity, LVEF, and quality of life in patients with heart failure?
Meta-Analysis
Do different modes of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improve functional capacity, LVEF, and quality of life in patients with heart failure?
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) appears to be the most effective mode of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for improving cardiac function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in patients with heart failure.
Supports prioritizing HIIT in HF cardiac rehab; strengthens network meta-analysis evidence for exercise mode selection.
Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to be an effective treatment for patients with heart failure (HF). However, the effect of different modes of CR delivery on HF remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to perform a large-scale pairwise and network meta-analysis (NMA) on the impact of various exercise types on patients with HF using multiple indicators. Methods: , six-minute walk test (6MWT), maximum workload, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), maximum heart rate (MHR), and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) scores. All relevant studies reported well-defined or accessible exposures and presented clear data on any one or more of the six items above before and after exercise rehabilitation. Results: , was HIIT (SUCRA: 90.8%), strength training (ST) (74.7%), AT (64.4%), combined training (CT) (41.7%) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) (18.3%). The order of effectiveness for LVEF based on SCURA values was HIIT (90.5%), AT (77.8%), CT (50.3%), ST (49.9%) and IMT (7.7%). Conclusions: Various types of exercise, especially HIIT, can improve QoL, cardiac function, LVEF, and exercise tolerance in patients with HF. The results of this analysis should inform future exercise guideline personalized recommendations and prescriptions for HF patients.
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Liu et al. (2025) conducted a meta-analysis in heart failure. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (HIIT, strength training, aerobic training, combined training, inspiratory muscle training) was evaluated on Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and other exercise/QoL indicators. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) was the most effective exercise mode for improving left ventricular ejection fraction in heart failure patients (SUCRA: 90.5%).
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