NCT02638961

Inspiratory Muscle Training and Functional Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of HFpEF

Inspiratory Muscle Training and Functional Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 52 (actual)
• Sponsor: Universitat Jaume I · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become the most prevalent form of HF in developed countries. Despite its increasing in prevalence, there is no evidence-based effective therapy for HFpEF The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether inspiratory muscle training (IMT), functional electrical stimulation (FES), or combination of both improve exercise capacity as well as left ventricular diastolic function, biomarkers' profile, quality of life (QoL) and prognosis in patients with HFpEF.

Detailed description

This study was designed as a prospective, controlled, randomized, four-armed, efficacy trial of patients with the diagnosis of HFpEF and New York Heart Association functional class II-III/IV, diagnosed according to criteria of the European Society of Cardiology. A computer-generated randomization scheme was used to allocate participants (in a 1:1:1:1 ratio) to receive: 1) a home-based 12-week program of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) or; 2) a 12-week program of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of lower limb muscles or; 3) standard treatment (ST) alone or; 4) combination of IMT and FES. The study is being conducted in a single center in Spain. Independently of staggered entry, the minimum duration of a patient's participation is 6 months (from first to last visit). All patients will provide signed informed consent and the protocol has been approved by the research ethics committee of our center in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and national regulations. Study population Candidate patients are selected from the outpatient's clinics of HF of the Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia. Study objectives The primary endpoint of the study is a clinical endpoint of three and six months change in peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2). Secondary endpoints are three and six month changes in echocardiogram parameters, QoL and prognostic biomarkers. The investigators also will specifically focus on number of episodes of worsening HF at 6 months: 1. Change in E/e' after three and six months. 2. Change in left atrial volume index after three and six months. 3. Change in health-related QoL measured by the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF) after three and six months. 4. Change in natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) after three and six months. 5. Change in minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope after three and six months. 6. Number of episodes of acute HF hospitalizations and number of episodes of worsening HF not requiring hospitalization at 6 months. Intervention Eligibility assessment and screening visit After reviewing the inclusion/exclusion criteria and signing the informed consent form, a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, anthropometry and examination tests will be performed. The examination tests include: electrocardiogram (ECG) echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), inspiratory muscle function test, QoL assessment by the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF) and blood samples for a panel of baseline biomarkers. Finally, patients are randomized (1:1:1:1) to four groups: 1) ST alone or; 2) a home-based 12-week program of IMT or; 3) a 12-week program of FES or; 4) combination of IMT and FES (IMT+FES) during 12 weeks. 12-week and six months visits All patients will be evaluated after 12-week supervised training, and six months after randomization. Evaluation will include medical history, physical examination, anthropometry and functional and QoL assessment tests (ECG, CPET, 6-MWT, inspiratory muscle function test, MLHF and blood tests).

Conditions

• Heart Failure With Normal Ejection Fraction

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	IMT	Patients allocated to IMT arm will receive standard medical treatment and will be instructed to train at home twice daily, for 20 minutes each session, and during 12 weeks using a threshold inspiratory muscle trainer (Threshold IMT®, Respironics Inc.). All of them will be instructed by a respiratory therapist and educated to maintain a diaphragmatic breathing during the training period. The subjects start breathing at a resistance equal to 25-30% of their maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) for 1 week. The respiratory therapist examines the patients at weekly intervals by checking the diary card and measuring their MIP each time. The resistance is modified each session according to their 25-30% of their MIP measured.
OTHER	FES	Patients allocated to FES arm will receive standard medical treatment and will be trained in a FES program of both legs by a physiotherapist for 45 minutes a day, 2 days per week for a total of 12 weeks. Eight adhesive electrodes are positioned on the skin over the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles of both legs. The stimulator is configured to deliver a direct electrical current at 25 Hz for 5 seconds followed by a 5-second rest. The intensity of the stimulation is adjusted to achieve a visible muscle contraction without discomfort.
OTHER	Standard treatment	Patients allocated to this arm will not receive any physical therapy, only standard medical treatment. They will be checked weekly by a physiotherapist who measures their maximal inspiratory mouth pressure each time.

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-10-01
• Primary completion: 2017-01-01
• Completion: 2017-03-01
• First posted: 2015-12-23
• Last updated: 2017-05-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain