Effects of Home-Based Baduanjin Exercise on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Acute Anterior ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Author: Yinhe Cai1, Liang Kang1, Haiyi Li1, Yuan Luo1, Junmao Wen1, Zhaohui Gong2, Qingmin Chu2, Yijun Qiu2, Chuanjin Luo2, Keyu Chen3, Xinjun Zhao2, Rong Li2
Affiliation:
1 The First Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
2 Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
3 Department of Interventional Room, The First Hospital Affiliated of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Conference/Journal: Front Cardiovasc Med
Date published: 2022 Feb 9
Other: Volume ID: 9 , Pages: 778583 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.778583. , Word Count: 348


Background:
Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a major pathological basis associated with heart failure and increased mortality. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation has been verified to significantly improve prognosis and quality of life. As a traditional Chinese Qigong, Baduanjin exercise has effectively alleviated adverse LV remodeling in STEMI patients. Despite this, participation in exercise rehabilitation remains low, and home-based exercise rehabilitation may be an alternative approach. Besides, anterior STEMI is reported to have higher risk of adverse LV remodeling. However, the efficiency regarding home-based Baduanjin exercise on LV remodeling in anterior STEMI patients remains uncertain currently.

Methods/design:
A single-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of home-based Baduanjin exercise in anterior STEMI patients compared with moderate intensity aerobic walking. A total of 114 participants were assigned randomly to the Baduanjin group or walking control group at a 1:1 ratio. Eligible participants practiced Baduanjin or walking exercise (5 times a week) for 12 weeks, and then followed up for another 12 weeks. The primary outcome is a relative change in the LV end-diastolic volume. The secondary outcomes include the plasma levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, health-related quality of life measured by EQ-5D-5L, LV ejection fraction, patient health questionnaire-9, generalized anxiety disorder screener-7, short physical performance battery score, and clinical endpoint events. The proportion of circulating regulatory T-cells were also assessed. Adverse events were recorded throughout the trial for safety evaluation. Data were be analyzed by researchers blinded to the treatment allocation.

Discussion:
This study provided powerful evidence for the use of home-based Baduanjin exercise in anterior STEMI patients in alleviating LV remodeling and improving clinical outcomes.

Trial registration:
The Research Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine has approved this study (ZYYECK[2020]045). Written informed consent of patients were required. This trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100047298).

Dissemination:
Our results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated through academic conferences and the Internet.

Keywords: Baduanjin exercise; anterior STEMI; clinical trial; home-based; left ventricular remodeling.

PMID: 35224034 PMCID: PMC8863751 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.778583

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