Comparing core, aerobic, and combined exercise during Phase II cardiac rehabilitation

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Core Exercise, Aerobic Exercise, and Combined Exercise in Patients Undergoing Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation.

This trial tests whether adding Pilates-style core exercises, standard aerobic exercise, or both to Phase II cardiac rehab improves fitness, balance, and quality of life for adults with recent myocardial infarction or stable heart failure.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Taipei)
• Trial ID: NCT07243769 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, three-arm pilot trial that will enroll 60 adults with clinically stable myocardial infarction or heart failure referred to Phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Participants are allocated 1:1:1 to Pilates-based core endurance training, standard aerobic training (treadmill or cycle), or a combined program, with supervised sessions twice weekly for eight weeks (about 60 minutes per session) and continuous safety monitoring. The primary aim is to determine feasibility and safety of incorporating core training into cardiac rehab, and secondary outcomes include cardiorespiratory fitness (peak VO2), six-minute walk distance, core endurance, balance, symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Results will clarify whether adding core training yields measurable functional or symptomatic benefits in this population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults referred to Phase II cardiac rehabilitation with clinically stable myocardial infarction or heart failure who can attend supervised twice-weekly sessions are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who recently had cardiac surgery, have an implanted pacemaker/defibrillator or ventricular assist device, cannot complete exercise testing, are pregnant, or have unstable cardiac conditions are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding core endurance training could enhance functional capacity, balance, and quality of life beyond standard aerobic cardiac rehabilitation.

How similar studies have performed: This application of Pilates-style core training in cardiac rehab is relatively novel; small studies in other populations suggest core exercises can improve function, but randomized data in MI/HF patients are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age over 18 years.
* Diagnosed with myocardial infarction or heart failure with stable condition, and referred for participation in Phase II cardiac rehabilitation.
* Able to regularly attend training sessions twice a week.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Underwent cardiac surgery within the past three months.
* Presence of a pacemaker, defibrillator, or left ventricular assist device.
* Cognitive impairment or dementia that prevents understanding or following training instructions.
* Inability to complete cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
* Pregnancy.
* Contraindications to cardiac rehabilitation based on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines, such as unstable angina, uncontrolled severe hypertension (resting systolic BP \>180 mmHg or diastolic BP \>110 mmHg), orthostatic hypotension (drop in BP \>20 mmHg upon position change), severe aortic stenosis, uncontrolled severe arrhythmia, decompensated heart failure, third-degree atrioventricular block, acute pericarditis or myocarditis, aortic dissection, acute pulmonary embolism, or other acute medical conditions such as infection or fever.
* Refusal to participate in the study.

Where this trial is running

Taipei

• National Taiwan University Hospital — Taipei, Taiwan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Hung-Jui Chuang, Dr.

Conditions Clinically Stable Myocardial Infarction or Heart Failure Patients; Heart Failure; Myocardial Infarction