QoL and PA in People Living with Heart Failure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A cross sectional study of people living with heart failure; investigating their quality of life, current levels of physical activity and their barriers and motivators towards physical activity participation.
IRAS ID
316040
Contact name
Kara Callum
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 8 days
Research summary
Research Question
Heart disease, including heart failure, is the leading cause of death worldwide and is one of the biggest health challenges of the 21st century. A very common symptom of heart failure is severe exercise intolerance (ability to exercise), as well as tiredness and shortness of breath. These symptoms lead to a decreased quality of life.
Increasing the physical activity levels of people with heart failure is known to have positive outcomes, including improved physical capacity (able to do more), improved quality of life, and less of a need for healthcare use. Despite the clear benefits of increased physical activity for patients with heart failure, participation and adherence remains low.
To promote physical activity in heart failure patients it is important to know how physically active they are currently, to understand what motivates them to be more physically active, and any barriers they face when trying to be more physically active. Another way in which to encourage increased physical activity in heart failure patients is to deliver programmes which suits the needs of the patients. To do this it is important to explore patient preferences for physical activity delivery in terms of location, support, frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise.
This research will investigate all these areas by inviting all patients over 18, living with stable heart failure in the NHS Highland region to complete a questionnaire.
The information gained from these questionnaires will be used to shape and influence the design of future interventions for heart failure patients with an aim to increase physical activity levels, decrease hospital admissions, and increase patients’ quality of life.Lay Summary
Despite the clear benefits of physical activity for patients with heart failure, attendance and adherence are difficult to achieve. Levels of physical activity in patients with heart failure are also much lower than in the general population. To increase physical activity among patients with heart failure it is crucial to better understand the barriers, motivators and preferences to physical activity in patients with heart failure.
This study had two aims: 1) to explore the current demographics and physical activity levels of patients living with heart failure in NHS Highland. 2) to determine the barriers, motivators and preferences for physical activity and exercise programmes for patients living with heart failure.
Questionnaires were sent to 300 screened participants and 112 (37%) completed questionnaires were returned. Demographics of respondents were comparable to national data. A poorer quality of life was associated with more comorbidities and a worsening degree of heart failure (NYHA class). Lower levels of physical activity were associated with more comorbidities, a worse degree of heart failure and a lower quality of life.
The biggest barrier to participation in physical activity was a lack of willpower, participants with 3 or more comorbidities also reported a significantly higher score for barriers to participation. The most significant influences on motivation for physical activity were the number of comorbidities and the severity of heart failure. Patient preferences for exercise were reported as alone and at home or in the community. There was no conclusive preference for the type of support preferred, however there was a clear aversion to phone call, email or video call support. Preferences for exercise frequency had large variation, however there was a clear preference for short bursts of higher intensity exercise.
This study has helped to gain a better understanding of the demographics, barriers, motivators, preferences and needs of HF patients for promoting participation in physical activity. The results of this study will contribute to the design and development of a physical activity intervention for patients living with heart failure.REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
23/WA/0151
Date of REC Opinion
11 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion