Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
An Exercise and Physical Activity Program in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The ACTIVE-AF Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors' conclusion
Participation in an exercise-based intervention over 6 months reduced arrhythmia recurrence and improved symptom severity among patients with AF.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with paroxysmal or persistent, symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF)
- Participants
- 120 patients
- Comparison
- Exercise intervention vs usual care
- Exercisen = 60
- Controln = 60reference
- Primary endpoint
- Coprimary: 1) AF recurrence, off antiarrhythmic medications and without catheter ablation; 2) symptom severity by validated questionnaire
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailsprospective, 1:1 randomisation, coprimary outcomes
- Prospective
- 1:1 randomisation
- Coprimary outcomes
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Freedom from AF; AF symptom severity
Exercise vs ControlHazard ratio (95% CI)
AF recurrence; freedom from AF by 12 months
0.50(0.33–0.78)
Exercise vs ControlMean difference (95% CI)P value
AF symptom severity at 6 months
−2.3(−4.3 to −0.2)
P = 0.033AF symptom severity at 12 months
−2.3(−4.5 to −0.1)
P = 0.041Further findings
Total symptom burden · 6 and 12 months
- Lower with exercise at 6 months but not at 12 months
Peak oxygen consumption · 6 and 12 months
- Increased with exercise at both 6 and 12 months
Cardiac structure or function, BMI, BP
- No between-group differences
Original publication
An Exercise and Physical Activity Program in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The ACTIVE-AF Randomized Controlled Trial. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. Published 18 January 2023. doi:10.
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