Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Super-Rehab: a Novel Approach to Treat Atrial Fibrillation

This study, called 'Super-Rehab', is investigating a new lifestyle programme called Super Rehab for people in the UK who have a heart rhythm condition called atrial fibrillation (AF) and are also overweight. AF can cause uncomfortable symptoms, and this study aims to see if Super Rehab, alongside standard medical care, can help improve these symptoms. Researchers want to compare the Super Rehab programme, which includes supervised exercise, dietary advice, and regular reviews over 12 months, with usual care alone. They will look at whether Super Rehab lessens AF symptoms and improves general well-being and heart health. If you are aged 18 or over, have symptomatic AF that doctors plan to treat to control your heart rhythm, and have an increased body mass index (BMI), you might be eligible to take part.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

03 Apr 2023

Estimated completion

30 Nov 2025

Atrial Fibrillation Overweight and Obesity

What is this study about?

This research study, called 'Super-Rehab', is looking into a new way to help people with a common heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is when the heart beats irregularly and often too fast, which can make you feel unwell, tired, or breathless. For some people, doctors decide to try and control the heart's rhythm to reduce these symptoms. We know that healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help improve AF, especially for those who are also overweight.

This study specifically focuses on a new lifestyle programme called 'Super Rehab'. This programme involves a combination of supervised high-intensity exercise, advice on healthy eating, and regular check-ups with healthcare professionals over 12 months. The aim is to see if adding Super Rehab to the usual medical care can make a real difference to AF symptoms for overweight patients. Doctors often choose to control AF rhythm based on how much the symptoms bother a patient, so improving these symptoms is a key goal.

We also know that being overweight and having other health factors can make AF worse and make standard treatments less effective. By addressing these factors through the Super Rehab programme, researchers hope to see improvements not only in AF symptoms but also in general heart health, how often AF episodes occur, and overall quality of life. This study will compare people receiving Super Rehab plus usual care to those receiving usual care alone to understand the benefits of this new programme.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates a new lifestyle programme called Super Rehab for people with symptomatic AF.
It targets overweight individuals where doctors are aiming to control their heart's rhythm.
Super Rehab involves supervised exercise, diet advice, and regular health reviews.
The study compares Super Rehab plus usual care with usual care alone over 12 months.
Key goals are to improve AF symptoms, heart health, and quality of life.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) with atrial fibrillation (AF) that is causing symptoms. Your doctors must also be planning to manage your AF by trying to control its rhythm, which might include treatments like cardioversion (a controlled electric shock to reset your heart rhythm) or ablation (a procedure to stop faulty electrical signals in your heart). You also need to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or higher, which means you are considered overweight, as this is a key focus of the study.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have certain severe heart conditions, like serious blockages in your heart arteries, severe heart failure, or significant valve problems, you wouldn't be eligible. Others might be excluded if they have very high blood pressure that isn't controlled, recent strokes, or other serious health issues that could make participating unsafe, or if they've already had an AF ablation. You also can't join if you're pregnant, physically unable to do high-intensity exercise, or are already taking part in another similar research study.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF)?
Are your doctors planning treatments to control your heart's rhythm for AF?
Do you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or higher?
Do you have any severe heart conditions or other serious health issues?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive 'Super Rehab' alongside their usual medical care, and the other group will continue with their usual care only. The Super Rehab programme lasts for 12 months and involves one-on-one supervised high-intensity exercise sessions, dietary advice meetings, and checks with healthcare professionals every three months to make sure your other health factors are well managed.

Throughout the study, regardless of which group you are in, you will have various tests. These include heart scans, fitness tests, blood tests, and you'll be asked to fill out questionnaires about your symptoms and quality of life. These assessments will happen at the beginning, during, and at the end of the 12-month study period to see how things change.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially offer you the benefit of an improved lifestyle programme (Super Rehab) alongside your standard care, which might lead to better control of your AF symptoms and improved overall health. However, as with any exercise or diet programme, there are potential risks, especially with high-intensity exercise, which will be carefully supervised. All medical procedures carry some risks, and these will be explained by your doctor. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Bath, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is atrial fibrillation (AF)?

AF is a common heart rhythm condition where the heart beats irregularly and often too fast, which can cause symptoms like breathlessness, tiredness, and palpitations.

What is 'Super Rehab'?

Super Rehab is a new 12-month lifestyle programme being tested in this study. It includes supervised high-intensity exercise, dietary advice, and regular health check-ups.

Why is being overweight important for this study?

Evidence suggests that being overweight can worsen AF and make treatments less effective. This study focuses on how lifestyle changes in overweight individuals might improve AF symptoms.

Will I definitely receive the 'Super Rehab' programme if I join?

No, participants will be randomly assigned to either receive Super Rehab plus usual care, or just usual care. This helps researchers fairly compare the two approaches.

What does 'rhythm control strategy' mean?

This means your doctors are planning treatments (like medications, cardioversion, or ablation) specifically to get your heart back into a regular rhythm to reduce your AF symptoms.