AzTrials
AzTrials

RehabilitationNCT07328789

Factors Influencing Cardiac Rehabilitation Success

An observational study of Rehabilitation, run by Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Official record
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Trial summary

Cardiovascular diseases, especially after life-saving surgeries, require comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR). We know that the effectiveness of CR varies among patients. The main goal of this study is to understand which factors-psychological, physical, cognitive, biochemical, and hormonal-influence the success… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 50 to 80 years
Conditions the study is for
Rehabilitation
What is being tested?
Rehabilitation effective
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
How many people
150 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
3 Jan 2026to 1 Jul 2029
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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 50 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Male patients aged 50-80 years who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and are currently hospitalized for cardiac rehabilitation. The study population includes individuals from a single clinical center in Poland.

Who may be able to join

  • Male patients aged 50-80 years
  • Hospitalization in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Ward
  • Undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery within the last 30 days
  • Written, informed consent to participate in the study

Who cannot join

  • Type II diabetes treated with insulin
  • Neuro-surgical operation in the last 6 months
  • Aneurysms of the cerebral arteries and aorta
  • Recurrent ischemic stroke (Cerebral Vascular Accident)
  • Presence of a pacemaker
  • Current treatment with testosterone

About this study

Official title: Assessment of the Effectiveness of Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation and Identification of Factors Modulating Its Results

Cardiovascular diseases, especially after life-saving surgeries, require comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR). We know that the effectiveness of CR varies among patients. The main goal of this study is to understand which factors-psychological, physical, cognitive, biochemical, and hormonal-influence the success and long-term durability of the recovery process. These findings will help us create more effective and personalized treatment programs.

Who is Being Studied and What is Being Assessed? Study Group: 150 patients of both sexes, aged 50-80 years, hospitalized in the cardiac rehabilitation ward, primarily after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG).

Read more

Study Period: Patients will be assessed at the start of their hospital stay, at the end of rehabilitation, and again 3-6 months after discharge.

Key Assessment Areas (Modulating Factors)

Physical Status and Fitness:

Exercise tolerance (6-Minute Walk Test).

Muscle strength (handgrip), balance, and gait.

Body composition (analysis of muscle mass and fat tissue).

Respiratory function and diaphragm mobility (ultrasound).

Psychological and Cognitive Factors:

Assessment of anxiety, depression, and general mental well-being.

Evaluation of cognitive functions (memory, concentration) following cardiac surgery.

Sleep Problems (OSA):

Assessment of the risk and severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is common in cardiac patients.

Analysis of OSA risk factors related to oral health (dentition, microbiome) and craniofacial structure.

Biological Markers:

Hormonal tests (e.g., testosterone, estradiol) and their correlation with psycho-physical condition and the rehabilitation process.

Analysis of metabolic and muscle-related biomarkers (e.g., myokines: irisin, myostatin).

Read the detailed description

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly advanced coronary artery disease requiring interventions like Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), are major global health concerns. Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a crucial element in patient recovery, yet its effectiveness varies significantly. The main objective of this project is the comprehensive evaluation of the actual effectiveness of standard CR and the identification of multi-faceted factors-biological, functional, and psychosocial-that influence its outcomes and long-term prognosis.

Methodology and Study Design The project plans to recruit 150 male and female patients, aged 50-80 years, who are hospitalized in the cardiac rehabilitation ward, primarily following CABG surgery.

Assessments will be conducted at three key time points to monitor the dynamic nature of changes:

Baseline (T0): At the beginning of cardiac rehabilitation.

Post-Rehab (T1): At the conclusion of the standard rehabilitation program.

Follow-up (T2): Approximately 3-6 months after the patient's discharge.

Detailed Research Domains

The study will focus on several key domains to comprehensively assess the mechanisms underlying recovery:

  1. Functional and Physical Assessment

Exercise Tolerance: Measured using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).

Physical Fitness and Strength: Assessed via Handgrip Dynamometry, the Barthel Scale for daily living activities, and the Tinetti Scale for balance and gait.

Body Composition: Detailed analysis using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to track changes in muscle mass and fat tissue.

Diaphragm Function: Evaluation of diaphragm muscle thickness and mobility using Ultrasound (USG) to monitor respiratory improvement.

Postural Stability: Assessment of pressure distribution using a tensiometric mat (posturography).

  1. Psychological and Neurocognitive Assessment

Mental Status: Evaluated using validated scales, including the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and the HADS Scale for anxiety and depression.

Cognitive Function: Screening for potential post-surgery cognitive impairment (memory, concentration) using the MoCA and MMSE scales.

  1. Sleep Disorders and Biological/Hormonal Factors

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Objective assessment of the frequency and severity of OSA using a portable sleep monitor.

Oral Health \& OSA Risk: Detailed dental and craniofacial examinations to assess OSA risk factors related to the oral cavity status.

Hormonal and Biochemical Markers: Analysis of sex hormones (Testosterone, Estradiol) and their correlation with overall condition and rehabilitation response.

Myokines and Metabolic Signaling: Measurement of myokines (Irisin, Myostatin) and related proteins to understand mechanisms of exercise adaptation.

Standard Laboratory Tests: Including standard markers like lipid profile, glucose, HbA1c, CRP, homocysteine, and Vitamin D3.

Significance and Expected Outcomes The project aims to establish a patient profile that clearly identifies who benefits most from CR and who is at risk of poor outcomes. This identification of predictive factors will enable the early introduction of personalized interventions, such as targeted physical therapy, psychological support, or specialized diagnostics for sleep disorders. The ultimate goal is to optimize CR programs, maximizing gains in physical capacity, quality of life, and the long-term cardiac prognosis for patients.

Conditions
Rehabilitation
Being tested
Rehabilitation effective
Keywords
Cardiac Rehabilitation, Sex Hormones, Cognitive Dysfunction
Medical subject headings
Cognitive Dysfunction

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Rehabilitation effectiveOther

    This study is an observational, non-pharmacological, multi-domain assessment of patients undergoing standard comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following CABG surgery. The intervention involves a detailed, longitudinal, three-stage evaluation (Baseline, Post-Rehab, 3-6 Month Follow-up) of the factors influencing CR outcomes.

    The CR itself is a standard hospital-based program, but the research intervention is distinguished by its holistic focus on measuring and correlating:

    Objective Functional Data: Exercise capacity (6MWT), muscle strength, diaphragm function (USG), and postural stability.

    Multifactorial Co-morbidities: Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) (NOX-T3), Cognitive Dysfunction (MoCA/MMSE), and the role of oral health in OSA risk.

    Biological \& Hormonal Profile: Measuring Sex Hormones (Testosterone, Estradiol) and Myokines (Irisin, Myostatin) to understand personalized metabolic and adaptive responses to the rehabilitation program.

    The intervention aims to

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Physical Capacity (6MWT)

    Distance walked in 6 minutes measured in meters using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). The test reflects objective functional improvement in physical capacity.

    Measured: Baseline (start of hospitalization/T0) and Post-Rehab (end of cardiac rehabilitation/T1, approximately 3-4 weeks later)

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Change in Psychological Status (HADS)

    Assessment using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The scale consists of 14 items (7 for anxiety and 7 for depression). Each item is scored from 0 to 3. Total score for each subscale ranges from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate greater severity of anxiety or depression.

    Measured: Baseline, Post-Rehab (approx. 3-4 weeks later), and Follow-up (3-6 months after discharge

  2. Diaphragm Thickness

    Assessment of diaphragm muscle thickness measured in millimeters (mm) using Ultrasound (USG) at the end of expiration.

    Measured: Baseline and Post-Rehab (approx. 3-4 weeks later).

  3. Change in Diaphragm Mobility

    Assessment of diaphragm excursion measured in centimeters (cm) during maximum inspiration and expiration using Ultrasound (USG).

    Measured: Baseline and Post-Rehab (approx. 3-4 weeks later).

  4. Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score

    Cognitive screening using the MoCA scale. Total score ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function with a score of 26 or above generally considered normal.

    Measured: Baseline, Post-Rehab (approx. 3-4 weeks later), and Follow-up (3-6 months after discharge).

  5. Change in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) Score

    Cognitive screening using the MMSE scale. Total score ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate better cognitive function where a score of 24-30 is typically considered normal.

    Measured: Baseline, Post-Rehab (approx. 3-4 weeks later), and Follow-up (3-6 months after discharge).

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted9 Jan 2026
  2. Study start3 Jan 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion20 Jun 2029 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Jul 2029 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
150 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07328789
Sponsor's protocol ID
KB-006/65/2025
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
1 Dec 2025
Last updated
9 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Rehabilitation, run by Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Physical Capacity (6MWT) (time frame: Baseline (start of hospitalization/T0) and Post-Rehab (end of cardiac rehabilitation/T1, approximately 3-4 weeks later)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jan 2026.

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