Rehabilitation for Cardiac Arrhythmia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Rehabilitation for Cardiac Arrhythmia in COVID-19 and Non COVID-19 Patients
IRAS ID
289997
Contact name
Sally Singh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals of Leicester
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN11721294
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Cardiac arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heart rhythm caused by altered electrical impulses in the heart. Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is considered the most common type of cardiac arrhythmias.
Rehabilitation programme is a multidisciplinary comprehensive programme targeting patients with pulmonary, cardiovascular and chronic diseases. The programme includes patient assessment, education, exercise training, behavior modification and risk factor management.The duration of this programme usually lasts between 6 to 12 weeks, and patients attend two to three sessions per week. Studies reported that rehabilitation programme is beneficial in reducing disease symptoms, improving exercise performance and overall quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection that can affect multiple body organs including the heart which may lead to cardiac rhythm disturbance. Recent observational studies reported that the incidence rate of cardiac arrhythmias in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 were between 17% to 23.5%, with atrial fibrillation being the most common type of arrhythmia.
In this project, we want to investigate the impact of rehabilitation programme on autonomic nervous system and cardiac functions in patients with arrhythmia that caused by COVID-19.
The primary objective is to conduct an observational cohort study to explore the impact of rehabilitation programme on autonomic functions and cardiac disturbance in COVID-19 patients. We will also assess other outcome measures including: Exercise capacity, health related quality of life, disease symptoms, fatigue, physical activity, anxiety and depression.
The second objective is to conduct a qualitative interviews and surveys to understand patients experience with AF, attitude and expectation toward rehabilitation, their facilitator and barriers to rehabilitation programme.
The third objective is to conduct a qualitative interviews to understand the attitude of health care professionals who are involved in the care for patients with AF toward disease management, exercise for AF patients ,facilitators and barriers to rehabilitation programme.Summary of Results
phase 1 of the study found that those with AF still reporting an existing symptoms and they need a further support to manage thier symptoms as they reported the need for a rehabilitation programme to help manage their symptoms.
Phase 2 of the study found that there were a significant improvements in cardiac autonomic functions measures beside other clinical outcomes including exercise capacity, disease symptoms, physical activity and quality of life in patients with post COVID-19 syndrome after enrollment in a six weeks of rehabilitation program.REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0172
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion