The aim of this research project is to examine the impact of aerobic exercise on markers of frailty in patients (of 65 years or older) suffering from heart failure (HF) or after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or mini aortic valve replacement procedures (mini-AVR).
Frailty is defined as a progressive age-related decline in physiological systems that results in decreased reserves of intrinsic capacity, which confers extreme vulnerability to stressors. Based on previous research, there are indications that frailty is highly prevalent in HF, CABG and mini-AVR patients. As a consequence, these patients (both men and women of 65 years or older) will be included in this research project. The 12-week aerobic exercise program (3 sessions per week) will consist of ergometer, treadmill and arm-ergometer exercises. The intensity will be based on the maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) of the patient and will correspond with a heart rate between the first and second ventilatory threshold (with a gradual progression over time). Secondary, correlations will be examined between markers of the CPET and frailty markers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
12-weeks aerobic exercise program
Jessa Hospital
Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium
RECRUITINGChange in body weight
To examine whether there was a change in body weight (not due to a diet) in the last year
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Gait speed
To examine the gait speed based on the 4.6 metres walking test.
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in gait speed at 12 weeks
To examine the change in gait speed based on the 4.6 metres walking test.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Level of physical activity based on the Katz-scale
To examine the level of physical activity based on the Katz-scale (which measures the level of (in)dependence in activities of daily living) (score of 0-6 in which a higher score indicates a better level of physical activity)
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in level of physical activity at 12 weeks (0-6) (Higher score = better level of physical activity)
To examine the change in level of physical activity based on the Katz-scale (which measures the level of (in)dependence in activities of daily living) (score of 0-6 in which a higher score indicates a better level of physical activity)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Exhaustion based on 2 questions of the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
To examine whether the patients suffer from exhaustion based on two questions of the CES-D (in which a score of 2 or 3 on both questions indicates that the patient suffers from exhaustion)
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in level of exhaustion at 12 weeks based on 2 questions of the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
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To examine whether there is a change in the level of experienced exhaustion based on two questions of the CES-D (in which a score of 2 or 3 on both questions indicates that the patient suffers from exhaustion)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Handgrip strength
To examine the handgrip strength measured with the Jamar handheld dynamometer.
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in handgrip strength at 12 weeks
To examine the change in handgrip strength measured with the Jamar handheld dynamometer.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Nutritional status based on the Mini Nutritional Assessement (MNA)
To examine the nutritional status based on the MNA (score of 0-30 in which a higher score indicates a better nutritional status)
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in nutritional status at 12 weeks based on the Mini Nutritional Assessement (MNA)
To examine the change in the nutritional status based on the MNA (score of 0-30 in which a higher score indicates a better nutritional status)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Cognitive status based on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)
To examine the cognitive status based on the MMSE (score of 0-30 in which a higher score indicates a better cognitive status)
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in cognitive status at 12 weeks based on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)
To examine the change in cognitive status based on the MMSE (score of 0-30 in which a higher score indicates a better cognitive status)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Physical status/Comorbidities based on the intake of medications
To examine the physical status based on the number of medications (in which a higher level of medication intake / higher number of medications indicates a more worse physical status)
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in physical status/Comorbidities at 12 weeks based on the intake of medications
To examine the change in physical status based on the intake of medications (in which a higher level of medication intake / higher number of medications indicates a more worse physical status)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Psychological status based on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)
To examine the psychological status based on the GDS-15 (score of 0-15 in which a higher score indicates a more depressed state)
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in psychological status at 12 weeks based on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)
To examine change in the psychological status based on the GDS-15 (score of 0-15 in which a higher score indicates a more depressed state)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Endurance/Balance/Coordination
To examine the endurance, balance and coordination of the patients based on the Timed up and Go Test
Time frame: At baseline (as part of the identification of frailty)
Change in endurance/Balance/Coordination at 12 weeks
To examine the change in endurance, balance and coordination of the patients based on the Timed up and Go Test
Time frame: 12 weeks