Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences · Oct 14, 2026

Beyond the clinic: a six-month home-based exercise and respiratory rehabilitation program improves functional capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and fatigue in chronic heart failure

By Ciołkiewicz M, Wojciuk M, Kuryliszyn-Moskal A et al.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal models of rehabilitation dedicated for patients with heart failure (HF) remain under investigation. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of a 6-month home-based rehabilitation program in patients with HF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 63 patients with stable HF were randomized, 28 patients from intervention group completed the study and were included in the analysis. Assessments including the 6-minute walk test, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life measures (SF-36 and Fatigue Severity Scale - FSS) were conducted at baseline and after 6 months. Additionally, adverse events and adherence to the training protocol were monitored. RESULTS: Due to objective challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the course and final outcomes of the study differed from the original protocol; the control group was not assessed after 6 months. In the intervention group, 6 months of rehabilitation resulted in statistically significant improvements: the 6-minute walk distance increased by 37.86 meters (p = 0.001), maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) improved by 20.21 cmH₂O, and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax) by 20.75 cmH₂O (both p < 0.01). A significant reduction in fatigue was observed, as measured by FSS, with a mean decrease of 0.68 points (p = 0.029). Adherence to the exercise protocol averaged 91.5 ± 15.3%. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The home-based rehabilitation program, including respiratory muscle training, is safe and effective for patients with chronic HF. It improves functional capacity and reduces fatigue levels. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03780803, ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03780803. Registered 19/12/2018.

doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2026.1958027 Open access PubMed 42952845 Interventions