Effects of exercise and cognitive training on brain health in heart failure patients

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This project aims to evaluate how combined physical exercise and cognitive training can improve cognitive function and brain health in patients with chronic heart failure. The study will involve 216 participants aged 60 and older, who will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: combined intervention, exercise alone, or usual care. The research will also explore how sex influences the effectiveness of these interventions. By assessing changes in cerebral autoregulation and vasoreactivity, the study seeks to provide insights into non-pharmacological strategies for enhancing cognition in heart failure patients.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 50 years old
* Stable chronic HF on maximally tolerated background treatment for at least 2 months (stable therapy with ACE-I, ARBs and MRA for at least 2 months), regardless of LVEF
* with no limitation of physical activity in ordinary physical activity (i.e. NYHA class I), moderate symptoms (i.e. NYHA class II) or marked limitation in activity (i.e. NYHA class III)
* Able to perform cognitive and physical training.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute cardiovascular event 1 month prior to randomization, including emergency visit or hospitalization for decompensated HF, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and transient ischemic attack
* Planned cardiovascular intervention within 6 months (implantation of any cardiac device, cardiac revascularization, heart transplantation)
* Severe exercise intolerance
* Contraindications for exercise testing (e.g., uncorrected severe aortic or carotid stenosis, severe pulmonary hypertension, severe non-revascularizable coronary disease including left main coronary stenosis, significant myocardial ischemia or arrhythmia during low-intensity exercise, acute HF)
* Severe respiratory disease
* Non-cardiopulmonary limitation to exercise (e.g., arthritis, claudication or any peripheral neurological disease including other neurodegenerative diseases such as disabling Parkinson)
* Uncontrolled diabetes or untreated thyroid dysfunction
* Current or recent malignancy with life expectancy \< 1 year
* Chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
* Unable to read the informed consent form or unable to understand the oral explanations provided by the assessor.

Where it's running

• Preventive medicine and physical activity centre (centre EPIC), Montreal Heart Institute
  Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Louis Bherer, PhD — Montreal Heart Institute
• Study coordinator: Louis Bherer, PhD
• Email: louis.bherer@umontreal.ca
• Phone: +1 514-374-1480

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.