Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is frequently associated with abnormalities in body composition, including reduced skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenia, which are independent predictors of reduced exercise tolerance, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. Despite advances in pharmacological therapy, evidence-based non-pharmacological strategies aimed at preventing muscle mass loss remain limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of dietary intervention based on the DASH diet with high-protein elements, resistance exercise training, and their combination on skeletal muscle mass, functional capacity, echocardiographic parameters, biochemical markers, and quality of life in patients with HFrEF.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
100
The exercise intervention includes resistance training using elastic bands, with instruction and follow-up provided by a medical rehabilitation specialist.
Individualized 14-day meal plan based on the DASH diet with high-protein components.
2nd Department and Clinical Ward of Cardiology Specialist Hospital in Zabrze, Poland
Zabrze, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
RECRUITINGChange in skeletal muscle mass
Quantitative assessment of skeletal muscle mass change over the study period.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months
Change in quality of life
Assessed using the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months
Change in exercise capacity
Assessed by the 6-minute walk test.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months
Change in echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function
Changes in left ventricular diastolic function assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, including early transmitral inflow velocity (E), the ratio of early to late transmitral inflow velocities (E/A), and early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e').
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months
Change in laboratory biomarkers
Includes NT-proBNP, HbA1c, K+ creatine, triglycerides, cholesterol,
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months
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