Pilot Testing of an Online Rehabilitation Intervention for People With Heart Failure (PORIAS-HF).
This study is looking at a new online exercise program for people in the UK who have heart failure. Heart failure means your heart struggles to pump blood effectively, affecting around 920,000 people here. Usually, exercise programs help improve heart function, reduce hospital stays, and increase independence, but many have stopped due to COVID-19. This research aims to see if an online program can be a good, reliable way to support people with heart failure. We'll take 30 participants, putting them into two groups. One group will get up to 24 online exercise sessions and workshops, while the other will get a home exercise plan, both for two months. We'll check if the online program works well and how people feel about it.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine your heart needing a little extra help to pump blood around your body. That's what happens when someone has heart failure – it’s a condition where the heart isn't working as efficiently as it should. This can make everyday activities like walking difficult and can greatly affect someone's independence.
Traditionally, special exercise programs, often called cardiac rehabilitation, are offered to help people with heart failure. These programs are really important because they can help strengthen the heart, reduce the chance of serious health problems, and keep people out of the hospital. However, with recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these in-person programs have had to pause or change, leaving some people without this important support.
This is where our study comes in. Our team has created a brand-new exercise program that you can do entirely online, from the comfort of your own home. Before we can show if it can make a big difference to people's health overall (like improving how well the heart pumps blood), we first need to check if it's practical and if people with heart failure can easily take part in it. This short study, lasting about 10 months in total, is a first step to see if this online approach could be a good, affordable way to help people with heart failure get the exercise they need.
Key takeaways
- Tests a new online exercise program for heart failure.
- Aims to see if the program is practical and well-received.
- Involves 30 participants over a two-month period.
- Compares structured online exercise to a self-managed plan.
- Important for finding reliable support when in-person options are limited.
Who may be eligible?
To be considered for this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) and have been officially diagnosed with a specific type of heart failure where the heart's pumping action is reduced. You should also be able to walk and move around on your own, and have a reliable internet connection at home.
There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are currently pregnant, have major heart surgery planned soon, have certain heart devices implanted, or have very severe lung high blood pressure, this study might not be right for you. Also, if you are very unwell with heart failure (classified as NYHA Class IV) or simply don't want to or can't give your clear permission to participate, you wouldn't be able to join.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 or older?
- Have you been diagnosed with heart failure where your heart's pumping is reduced?
- Can you walk and move around by yourself?
- Do you have a reliable internet connection at home?
- Are you not currently pregnant and don't have major heart surgery planned soon?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll first have some online assessments. These will cover your general health history, how you manage daily activities, your exercise habits, and how you feel about your quality of life. After these initial checks, you'll be randomly placed into one of two groups for a period of two months.
If you're in Group A, you'll receive up to 24 online exercise sessions and up to 3 workshops about lifestyle changes, all while continuing your usual medical care. If you're in Group B, you'll be given a plan for exercising on your own at home (aiming for at least 3 sessions per week), also alongside your usual care. At the end of the two months, we'll repeat some of the initial assessments, and you'll have an interview to share your experiences with the program. The total duration of your active participation will be two months.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Sheffield Hallam UniversityVerified postcodeSheffield, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is heart failure?
Heart failure means your heart isn't pumping blood as effectively as it should, making it harder for your body to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
Why is this study happening online?
Due to things like the COVID-19 pandemic, many in-person exercise programs stopped. This study explores if a reliable online program can offer much-needed support.
What will I have to do if I join?
You'll have some online assessments and then be in one of two groups for two months: either getting online exercise sessions and workshops, or a home exercise plan.
Will this online program definitely help my heart?
This is a pilot study to see if the program is practical. We hope it will help, but we need more research to confirm if it significantly improves heart health.
Can I stop participating if I want to?
Yes, you can leave the study at any time without needing to explain why, and it won't affect your regular medical treatment.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.