Low Intensity Physical Activity in Congestive Heart Failure Patients Among Different BMI

This randomized controlled trial explored the effects of low-intensity physical activity on functional capacity, quality of life, and psychological well-being in patients with congestive heart failure across different BMI categories. A total of forty patients were selected and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in an eight-week structured low-intensity physical activity program, while the control group continued with usual care without additional physical activity. Various assessment tools were used to evaluate outcomes, including the 6-minute walk test to measure functional capacity, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire to assess quality of life, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to evaluate psychological well-being. The results demonstrated that although both groups showed some improvement, the intervention group experienced significantly greater gains in all measured outcomes. The 6-minute walk distance increased, KCCQ-12 scores improved notably, and depressive symptoms reduced significantly in the intervention group compared to the control. The study concluded that low-intensity physical activity is an effective and feasible intervention to enhance physical and mental health in congestive heart failure patients, irrespective of their BMI category.

Inclusion criteria

• Hospitalized Congestive heart failure patients
• Age 45-70
• Diagnosed with CHF
• BMI all ranges
• Severely underweight: BMI<16 kg/m2
• Underweight: BMI≥ 16 kg/m2 and <18.5 kg/m2
• Normal weight BMI≥18.5 kg/mg2 and <25kg/m2
• Overweight: BMI ≥25kg/m2 and<30 kg/m2
• Obese: BMI≥30 kg/m2
• Willing to participate in physical activity program

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders
• Severe COPD or other respiratory diseases
• Cognitive impairment
• Cardiac catheter related surgery, valvular surgery within past 6 month
• Recent Lung embolis
• Lung cancer
• Participants in other clinical trial or intervention study