Empower Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of Exercise Prescription on Cardiovascular (CV) Health and Quality of Life (QoL) in Children with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)- A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
335476
Contact name
Sophia Khan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Alder Hey Children’s NHS foundation trust,
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 7 days
Research summary
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited condition that affects the heart muscle. Doctors have previously been cautious about encouraging patients with HCM to exercise but research has now shown that the risks of exercise for patients with HCM is far less than previously thought and is actually beneficial.
One way to help children with HCM be more confident to exercise is with an individualised exercise prescription (EP) provided by a team of specialist doctors nurses and physiotherapists. They will assess patients and advise on how to exercise safely and effectively.
This study is to see if we can deliver an EP service for children with HCM who attend cardiology outpatients. We also want to see if children will take part and stick to the EP.We will ask children aged 10 to 18 years old attending cardiology clinic at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital (AHCH) with a diagnosis or at risk of developing HCM if they wish to take part in the study. If they take part we will measure their height, weight and blood pressure.They will do a treadmill test, a'sit to stand' test and hamstring muscle flexibility measure and scan of their thigh muscle.
A questionnaire will be done to ask about their Quality of Life. The children will then be given an exercise plan. They will be asked to keep an exercise log.
They will have monthly contact (telephone or a face to face) visit to see how they are getting on. After 6 months all the initial tests will be repeated, to see if the exercise prescription was helpful and if there have been improvements in their fitness and Quality of Life.
We also see them six months later to see if the Exercise Prescription has been a lasting impact on their exercise levels, fitness and wellbeing.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0162
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion