“Super Rehab”: A novel approach to reverse atrial fibrillation?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
“Super Rehab”: A novel approach to reverse atrial fibrillation? (a randomised controlled trial)
IRAS ID
307544
Contact name
Ali Khavandi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal United Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common abnormal heart rhythm, causing the heart to beat irregularly. Many patients experience unpleasant symptoms, including palpitations, lethargy and breathlessness, significantly reducing quality-of-life. AF is also the commonest cause of stroke and associated with premature mortality.
In many cases, AF is driven by the same risk factors related to modern lifestyle as other cardiovascular conditions – obesity, hypertension and diabetes. These risk factors increase the risk of developing AF, and reduce success rates of traditional treatments designed to regain normal heart rhythm. Current treatments focus on medications and invasive operations to control AF, which carry risk and a notable expense for the NHS. However, these do not focus on the drivers of AF development and progression – the risk factors themselves.Supported lifestyle intervention programmes (focusing on exercise and diet) can improve cardiovascular health, quality-of-life, and reduce medication burden. However, there is a lack of definitive research showing that lifestyle interventions can reverse the progressive AF spiral, encouraging the return of normal rhythm, improving symptoms and reducing the risk of poor outcomes.
This study will assess the impact of a healthcare-delivered lifestyle intervention (“Super Rehab”) on patients with AF who are overweight. Super Rehab incorporates evidence-based lifestyle intervention research targeting additional benefits from higher-intensity exercise, modified dietary advice and novel behavioural techniques. It involves 10-weeks of 1:1 supervised exercise and dietary sessions with a healthcare professional, with supervision tapered over a 12-month period to support maintenance of lifestyle change.
Participants will be randomised to Super Rehab or Usual Care only, and asked to complete questionnaires and have physical and imaging tests on health, fitness and their heart at four time-points during the study. Study results will help inform healthcare practices in the treatment of AF and establish whether this intervention should be available across the NHS.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0479
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion