Heart Failure NYHA Class IINCT01560871
Effects of a Walking Program and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Individuals With Chronic Heart Failure
A study testing High-intensity IMT plus walking and Low-intensity IMT plus walking in people with Heart Failure NYHA Class II and Heart Failure NYHA Class III, run by Texas Woman's University at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
Individuals with chronic heart failure need a "safe and effective" exercise program that could enhance their quality of life. In this study, we examined whether an experimental exercise program of autonomous walking and high-intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) could result in better effects on respiratory… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 90 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Heart Failure NYHA Class II, Heart Failure NYHA Class III
- What is being tested?
- High-intensity IMT plus walking and Low-intensity IMT plus walking
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- Mar 2012to Jan 2018
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 90 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- adults with chronic heart failure (NYHA Functional Class II-III)
- BMI < 35 kg/m^2
- Age: 18 to 90 years
- walk independently with or without an assisted device
- hospital discharge for CHF within a year.
Who cannot join
- ECG with uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia
- bronchiectasis
- limited walking ability due to neurologic or orthopedic impairments of the legs
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United States2 sites
Outpatient heart failure transitional care clinic, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Texas Health Resources
Dallas, Texas, 75231
School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University
Dallas, Texas, 75235
About this study
Official title: Effects of a Walking Program and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Individuals With Chronic Heart Failure - A Pilot Study
Individuals with chronic heart failure need a "safe and effective" exercise program that could enhance their quality of life. In this study, we examined whether an experimental exercise program of autonomous walking and high-intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) could result in better effects on respiratory muscle strength (PImax), cardiovascular endurance, quality of life, and physical activity, when compared to autonomous walking and "sham" IMT program, in adults with chronic heart failure.
Read the detailed description
Participants were recruited from the outpatient heart failure transitional care clinic at the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and other local heart failure support groups. Flyers were distributed to cardiologists, nurse practitioners, and local heart failure support groups in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Cardiologists and nurse practitioners were aware of the scope of the study and its inclusion and exclusion criteria of research participants. Potential research participants could then call the research team for further information.
Participants came to our facility for the initial evaluation session, where a history interview was conducted to gather demographic data, such as age, gender, height, weight, race/ethnicity, and past medical/surgical history. The following baseline data were then collected: a) two trials of the six-minute walk test, b) respiratory muscle strength indicated by maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), and two quality of life questionnaires. During the walk test, heart rate and heart rhythms were continuously monitored via a holter monitor. During the rest breaks, research participants filled out two quality of life questionnaires (SF-36, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire).
Each participant was randomly assigned to one of the two groups: a) the autonomous walking program with a high-intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) program, or b) the autonomous walking program with a sham IMT. The training threshold for the experimental IMT group was trained at 60%PImax which was reassessed at weekly follow ups. The frequency of training was 5x/week (1x/day preferred) for 6 interval levels at each session (6 inspiratory efforts in each level): (1) 60s rest interval; (2) 45s rest interval; (3) 30s rest interval; (4) 15s rest interval; (5)10s rest interval; (6) 5s rest interval, trained to exhaustion. The intensity of sham IMT was set at fixed 15% PImax. Research participants were blinded to the group assignment. The time commitment for IMT was about 15-20 minutes a session per day at home. Weekly follow up was conducted at the School of Physical Therapy in Dallas to reassess PImax, collect the log of daily step count, and discuss about the walking program. Every participant was given a breathing device for inspiratory muscle training.
Each participant was given a pedometer and a heart rate monitor to track their daily step counts and heart rate during the walking session. The walking program consisted of walking daily at an intensity of "somewhat hard" to "hard" on the Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. Participants were encouraged to walk 10 to 15 minutes, once to twice a day initially, then progressed to about 45-50 minutes a day by week six, if they could tolerate. At the end of 6 weeks, these participants returned to our facility for the final evaluation session.
- Being tested
- High-intensity IMT plus walking, Low-intensity IMT plus walking
- Keywords
- Heart failure, inspiratory muscle training, physical activity
- Medical subject headings
- Heart Failure, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
High-intensity IMT plus walkingBehavioural
The IMT intensity was set at 60% of PImax which was reassessed weekly. Frequency: 5x/week; 1x/day preferred. 6 Interval Levels: (6 efforts at each level): (1) 60s rest interval; (2) 45s rest interval; (3) 30s rest interval; (4) 15s rest interval; (5)10s rest interval; (6) 5s rest interval, trained to exhaustion.
For the walking program, it was the same as the one for the control group.
Low-intensity IMT plus walkingBehavioural
The IMT training was 3 sets of 10 repetitions, or when the participant felt tired. Participants returned to our facility every week to reassess PImax.
For the walking program, each participant was given a pedometer and a heart rate monitor to track daily step counts and heart rate. The walking program consisted of walking every day at an intensity of "somewhat hard" to "hard" on the Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion scale. Participants began at least 10 to 15 minutes, once to twice a day, for 7 days a week, and eventually progressed to 45-50 minutes a day by the end of the six weeks, if they could tolerate.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Low-intensity IMT Plus Walking | Sham comparator | Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) intensity was set at 15% PImax. The walking program consisted of walking every day at an intensity of "somewhat hard" to "hard" on the Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. Participants were encouraged to walk at 10 to 15 minutes, once to twice a day initially, then progressed to 45-50 minutes a day by the end of the six weeks, if they could tolerate. Receives: Behavioral: Low-intensity IMT plus walking |
| High-intensity IMT Plus Walking | Experimental | Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) intensity was set at 60% PImax.
The walking program was the same as the one for the control group. Receives: Behavioral: High-intensity IMT plus walking |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change From Baseline in Mean Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire Score
This questionnaire includes 21 questions which ask how much the heart condition affected the patient's life during the past month. Each question has 5 optional answers with the scores ranging from 0 to 5. A higher score indicates a worse outcome. The minimum overall score of the questionnaire is 0 and the maximum score is 105. A higher overall score on the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire indicates a worse outcome.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Change From Baseline in Mean Score of Physical Component of the SF-36 Questionnaire
The SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (short form) was used. A higher score of the SF-36 questionnaire indicates a better outcome (i.e., lower disability). The range of overall score on the SF-36 questionnaire is from 0 to 100.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Mean Daily Step Counts From Week 1 to Week 6
Each subject was given a pedometer to record his/her step counts every day.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Respiratory Muscle Strength is Indicated by Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (PImax)
The inspiratory muscle strength will be measured in the unit of cmH2O by the Respiratory Muscle Pressure Meter (Micro Direct). A higher inspiratory pressure indicates a better inspiratory breathing strength.
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Six-minute Walk Test Distance
The six-minute walk test is a measure of cardiovascular endurance which measures how far a person can walk in 6 minutes. This test was conducted twice respectively at pre-training and at post-training to account for potential learning effect. A longer distance walked on the six-minute walking test indicates a better cardiovascular endurance.
Measured: Baseline and 6 Weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Mar 2012 (estimated)
- Study startMar 2012
- Primary completionJan 2018
- Study completionJan 2018
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (11)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Heart Failure NYHA Class IIStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Texas Woman's University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Texas Health Resources
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Suh-Jen Lin, Texas Woman's University
- Investigators
- Suh-Jen Lin, PhD, PT, Principal investigator, Texas Woman's University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01560871
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 16969
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Mar 2012
- Last updated
- 29 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Gheorghiade M, Vaduganathan M, Fonarow GC, Bonow RO. Rehospitalization for heart failure: problems and perspectives. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013 Jan 29;61(4):391-403. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2012.09.038. Epub 2012 Dec 5.
PubMed 23219302Van Spall HGC, Lee SF, Xie F, Oz UE, Perez R, Mitoff PR, Maingi M, Tjandrawidjaja MC, Heffernan M, Zia MI, Porepa L, Panju M, Thabane L, Graham ID, Haynes RB, Haughton D, Simek KD, Ko DT, Connolly SJ. Effect of Patient-Centered Transitional Care Services on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure: The PACT-HF Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 Feb 26;321(8):753-761. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.0710.
PubMed 30806695Tudor-Locke C, Craig CL, Brown WJ, Clemes SA, De Cocker K, Giles-Corti B, Hatano Y, Inoue S, Matsudo SM, Mutrie N, Oppert JM, Rowe DA, Schmidt MD, Schofield GM, Spence JC, Teixeira PJ, Tully MA, Blair SN. How many steps/day are enough? For adults. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011 Jul 28;8:79. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-8-79.
PubMed 21798015Tudor-Locke C, Hart TL, Washington TL. Expected values for pedometer-determined physical activity in older populations. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2009 Aug 25;6:59. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-6-59.
PubMed 19706192Bailly L, Mosse P, Diagana S, Fournier M, d'Arripe-Longueville F, Diagana O, Gal J, Grebet J, Moncada M, Domerego JJ, Radel R, Fabre R, Fuch A, Pradier C. "As du Coeur" study: a randomized controlled trial on quality of life impact and cost effectiveness of a physical activity program in patients with cardiovascular disease. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2018 Dec 6;18(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s12872-018-0973-3.
PubMed 30522438Lin SJ, McElfresh J, Hall B, Bloom R, Farrell K. Inspiratory muscle training in patients with heart failure: a systematic review. Cardiopulm Phys Ther J. 2012 Sep;23(3):29-36.
PubMed 22993500Marco E, Ramirez-Sarmiento AL, Coloma A, Sartor M, Comin-Colet J, Vila J, Enjuanes C, Bruguera J, Escalada F, Gea J, Orozco-Levi M. High-intensity vs. sham inspiratory muscle training in patients with chronic heart failure: a prospective randomized trial. Eur J Heart Fail. 2013 Aug;15(8):892-901. doi: 10.1093/eurjhf/hft035. Epub 2013 Mar 19.
PubMed 23512093Rector TS, Cohn JN. Assessment of patient outcome with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire: reliability and validity during a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pimobendan. Pimobendan Multicenter Research Group. Am Heart J. 1992 Oct;124(4):1017-25. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(92)90986-6.
PubMed 1529875Middel B, Bouma J, de Jongste M, van Sonderen E, Niemeijer MG, Crijns H, van den Heuvel W. Psychometric properties of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF-Q). Clin Rehabil. 2001 Oct;15(5):489-500. doi: 10.1191/026921501680425216.
PubMed 11594639Neder JA, Andreoni S, Lerario MC, Nery LE. Reference values for lung function tests. II. Maximal respiratory pressures and voluntary ventilation. Braz J Med Biol Res. 1999 Jun;32(6):719-27. doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x1999000600007.
PubMed 10412550Borg GA. Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982;14(5):377-81.
PubMed 7154893