Using pleasurable exercise intensity to boost activity after acute coronary syndrome
Manipulating Exercise Intensity and Affective Responses on a Cardiac Rehabiliattion Program for Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
This trial will test whether guiding exercise intensity to feel more pleasant during cardiac rehabilitation helps people who recently had an acute coronary syndrome become more physically active.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 52 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Instituto Politécnico de Leiria Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Leiria and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07105943 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults who had an acute coronary syndrome within the past year and meet low-risk criteria will be randomized to a pleasure-oriented exercise program or a conventional cardiac rehabilitation program. Participants will attend sixteen individualized hospital exercise sessions (two per week) and follow a complementary physical activity program integrated into daily life. Researchers will measure affective responses and physical activity levels before, after the program, and at a 3-month follow-up to compare groups. The intervention aims to manipulate exercise intensity to increase pleasure and arousal and thereby improve adherence and overall activity.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over 18 with an acute coronary syndrome within the past 12 months who have not previously participated in cardiac rehabilitation and meet low-risk AHA criteria (e.g., NYHA I–II, exercise capacity >6 METs) are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with LVEF <40%, uncontrolled arrhythmias, significant conduction blocks, or other high-risk cardiac conditions are excluded and would likely not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase long-term physical activity, improve recovery, and enhance quality of life after an acute coronary event.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows that positive affect during exercise is linked to better adherence, but randomized tests of pleasure-guided intensity in post-ACS cardiac rehabilitation remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Selection criteria include: * patients older than 18 years * diagnosis of ACS within the past 12 months who have not previously participated in a CR program * patients classified as low-risk (Class B) according to the American Heart Association: (a) New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I or II, (b) exercise capacity greater than 6 METs, (c) no evidence of heart failure, (d) no signs of myocardial ischemia or angina at rest or during exercise testing at or below 6 METs, (e) appropriate systolic blood pressure response during exercise, and (f) absence of sustained or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia at rest or during exercise. Standard exclusion criteria include: * left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) \< 40% at rest * uncontrolled arrythmias (e.g., complex ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation or flutter with rapid ventricular response, second-degree atrioventricular block Mobitz type II, or third-degree atrioventricular block) * presence of an implantable cardiac device * symptomatic peripheral arterial disease * comorbidities that may interfere with the ability to perform the exercise program safely.
Where this trial is running
Leiria and 1 other locations
- Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Leiria — Leiria, Portugal (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Hospital de Leiria — Leiria, Portugal (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Filipa Januario, MMed
- Email: filipa.januario@ulsrl.min-saude.pt
- Phone: +351817073
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.