Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Cardiac Rehabilitation in Decompensated Heart Failure
Sponsor: Beni-Suef University
Summary
Heart failure is a common clinical condition that often leads to reduced exercise tolerance, shortness of breath, and poor quality of life. Many patients with heart failure also develop weakness of the inspiratory muscles, which contributes to limited physical activity and worsening functional capacity. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been suggested as a useful rehabilitation method to improve respiratory muscle strength and exercise tolerance. In addition, functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the lower limb muscles may help activate skeletal muscles and improve functional performance in patients who cannot tolerate conventional exercise. This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effect of combining inspiratory muscle training with functional electrical stimulation of the lower limbs in patients with decompensated heart failure. A total of 135 hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure will be recruited from the Cardiology Department at Beni-Suef University Hospital and randomly assigned into three groups. Group A (45 patients) will receive routine medical treatment in addition to inspiratory muscle training combined with functional electrical stimulation. Group B (45 patients) will receive routine medical treatment with inspiratory muscle training only. Group C (45 patients) will receive routine medical treatment alone. The intervention will start during hospitalization and will continue for four weeks. The study will evaluate the effects of these interventions on cardiac function, inspiratory muscle strength, and functional capacity as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes will include dyspnea severity, quality of life, heart rate, oxygen saturation, hand grip strength, and maximum expiratory pressure. The findings of this study may help clarify the potential role of combining inspiratory muscle training with functional electrical stimulation as part of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with decompensated heart failure.
Official title: Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Decompensated Heart Failure
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
45 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
135
Start Date
2026-04-01
Completion Date
2026-06-01
Last Updated
2026-04-08
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Inspiratory Muscle Trainer
Inspiratory muscle training performed using a threshold inspiratory muscle trainer at 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure for 30 minutes per session, 4-5 sessions per week for four weeks.
Functional Electrical Stimulation
Functional electrical stimulation will be applied to the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles of both lower limbs using surface electrodes. Electrical stimulation will be delivered at a frequency of 10 Hz, pulse width of 150 ms, and 20 seconds on / 20 seconds off duty cycle for approximately 45 minutes per session.
Standard medical treatment
Participants will receive routine pharmacological treatment for heart failure according to hospital guidelines.
Locations (1)
Beni-Suef University Hospital
Banī Suwayf, Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt