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European Journal of Heart Failure 2008 10(7):709-713; doi:10.1016/j.ejheart.2008.05.014
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© 2008 European Society of Cardiology

Effects of functional electrical stimulation on quality of life and emotional stress in patients with chronic heart failure secondary to ischaemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Apostolos Karavidasa, John Parissisb,*, Sophia Arapia, Dimitrios Farmakisb, Dimitrios Korresa, Maria Nikolaoub, John Fotiadisa, Nikolaos Potamitisa, Xenia Drivaa, Ioannis Paraskevaidisb, Evaggelos Matsakasa, Gerasimos Filippatosb and Dimitrios T. Kremastinosb

a Cardiology Department, General Hospital "G.Genimmatas" Athens, Greece
b Second Cardiology Department and Heart Failure Unit, University of Athens Medical School, Attikon University Hospital Athens, Greece

* Corresponding author. Aftokratoros Irakliou 17, 15122, Maroussi, Athens, Greece. Tel./fax: +30 210 5831295. E-mail address: jparissis{at}yahoo.com (J. Parissis).


  Abstract

Objective: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) improves exercise capacity and endothelial function in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. This study evaluates the impact of FES on quality of life and emotional stress in patients with moderate to severe CHF.

Methods: Thirty patients with stable CHF (24 men; NYHA class II–III; left ventricular ejection fraction <35%) were randomly assigned (2:1) to a 6-week FES training program (n=20) or placebo (n=10). Questionnaires addressing quality of life [Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), functional and overall], and emotional stress [Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)], as well as plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and 6-min walking distance test (6MWT) were assessed at baseline and after completion of training protocol.

Results: A significant improvement in KCCQ functional (F=76.666, p<0.001), KCCQ overall (F = 41.508, p<0.001), BDI (F = 17.768, p<0.001) and Zung SDS (F = 27.098, p<0.001) was observed in the FES group compared to placebo. Patients in the FES group had also a significant increase in 6MWT (F = 19.413, p<0.001) and a trend towards reduction in plasma BNP (F = 4.252, p=0.053) compared to placebo.

Conclusion: FES seems to have a beneficial effect on quality of life, exercise capacity and emotional stress in patients with moderate to severe CHF.

Key Words: Quality of life • Depression • Exercise training programs • Heart failure • B-type natriuretic peptide

Received November 16, 2007; Revised April 30, 2008; Accepted May 22, 2008


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