CompletedNot Applicable

Exercise Training in Women With Cardiac Devices

Canada20 participantsStarted 2023-11-28

Plain-language summary

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are established treatments for a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. Women with CIED have lower fitness and lower quality of life compared to men with CIED. Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) is the most prescribed exercise for women. However, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve fitness, anxiety levels, quality of life, and other health indicators over MICT in men with CIED. There is a need to quantitatively evaluate the feasibility and effects of a virtual HIIT vs. virtual MICT program on the physical, quality of life, and mental health of women with CIED. Furthermore, a qualitative approach is also necessary to understand patients' experiences, barriers, and facilitators of a virtual exercise intervention. This mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial will assess the feasibility of a 12-week virtual HIIT and MICT program in women with CIED.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

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

. Women (i.e., female sex assigned at birth) with CIED (≥6 months since implant)
. Women with CIED in optimal medical therapy and functioning;
. Patient is able to perform a symptom-limited CPET;
. Patient is able to read and understand English or French.

Exclusion criteria

. Patient is currently participating in routine exercise training (\>2x/week);
. Patient has: documented unstable angina; or established diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe mitral or aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy;

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.

1Since this trial has already been completed and was focused on testing whether the exercise program was feasible and safe for women with cardiac devices, has any published data or results come out yet that my doctor could review to understand how women like me responded to it?
2This study was specifically designed for women with cardiac devices — would my doctor consider me a good candidate for a supervised exercise program similar to the one studied here, given my own device and current heart condition?
3The trial tracked adverse events during exercise training as one of its main safety measures — based on what's known so far, does my doctor think there are particular risks I should be aware of if I were to pursue a structured exercise program with my cardiac device?
4Because this was a feasibility study rather than a trial testing whether the exercise program actually improves outcomes, does my doctor know of any larger or more advanced trials building on this research that might be worth looking into?
5The study monitored participants' heart rates during exercise to check whether they were following the prescribed intensity — how would my doctor track and adjust a safe exercise intensity for me given how my cardiac device affects my heart rate readings?

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

Feasibility - Number of classes participants attended

Timeframe: Week 12

Feasibility - Compliance to the exercise prescription based on heart rate

Timeframe: Week 12

Feasibility - Adverse events

Timeframe: Week 12

Feasibility - Number of dropouts

Timeframe: Week 12

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05946304

SponsorOttawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-08-18

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cardiovascular Diseases trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

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

. Women (i.e., female sex assigned at birth) with CIED (≥6 months since implant)
. Women with CIED in optimal medical therapy and functioning;
. Patient is able to perform a symptom-limited CPET;
. Patient is able to read and understand English or French.

Exclusion criteria

. Patient is currently participating in routine exercise training (\>2x/week);
. Patient has: documented unstable angina; or established diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe mitral or aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy;