Randomised controlled trial
Isometric exercise training in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a randomized controlled study
- Randomised controlled trial
Authors' conclusion
Isometric exercise training is a feasible and safe therapeutic intervention for patients with HFpEF, with cardiovascular and quality of life improvements.
Study context
- Population
- Medically optimized patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)33 (87%) completed
- Participants
- 19 vs 19
- Comparison
- Isometric exercise training vs usual care
- Isometric exercise training (IET)n = 19
- Usual caren = 19reference
- Primary endpoint
- Feasibility of an IET programme (exploratory safety and efficacy outcomes)
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Resting BP and total peripheral resistance, IET vs usual care · after 4-week intervention
- resting SBP
- difference −8.52 ± 2.7 mmHg; P = 0.003
- resting mean BP
- difference −4.94 ± 2 mmHg; P = 0.018
- resting DBP
- difference −4.62 ± 1.8 mmHg; P = 0.016
- total peripheral resistance (reduction)
- difference 270.4 ± 75.4 dyne s cm-5; P = 0.001
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac function and KCCQ physical limitation, following IET — IET vs Usual care · GLS improvement | difference 2.18 ± 0.7 % | P = 0.005 |
| Cardiac function and KCCQ physical limitation, following IET — IET vs Usual care · LA reservoir strain improvement | difference 4.59 ± 1.7 % | P = 0.012 |
| Cardiac function and KCCQ physical limitation, following IET — IET vs Usual care · LA stiffness index | difference −0.2 ± 0.06 | |
| Cardiac function and KCCQ physical limitation, following IET — IET vs Usual care · KCCQ physical limitation subscale | difference 10.27 ± 4.56 | P = 0.032 |
Original publication
Isometric exercise training in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a randomized controlled study. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 28 August 2025. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf541
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it