Due to the lack of information in the literature about the role of cardiac rehabilitation on Chagas heart failure, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a cardiac exercise program on functional capacity, cardiac function, respiratory muscle strength, body composition, biomarkers and quality of life among Chagas heart failure patients.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients at the stages C or D of Chagas cardiomyopathy
* Patients receiving standard optimized medical therapy
* Patients with good adherence to outpatient treatment within the last three months.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Those who were not able to attend three weekly training sessions,
* Those who had neuromuscular limitations, cardiopathies from non-Chagasic etiology (e.g ischemic), systemic conditions that limits exercise practice (e.g chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
* Practitioners of regular exercise.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Functional Capacity (VO2 max)
Timeframe: Change from baseline at 4 and 8 months
Trial details
NCT IDNCT02516293
SponsorEvandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Disease