Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Feasibility of High-Intensity Interval Nordic Walking in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

This study is exploring a new exercise program called High-Intensity Interval Nordic Walking (HIIT-NoW) for individuals who have undergone heart bypass surgery or received stents for coronary artery disease. Many people experience challenges with their physical and mental well-being after these procedures. While standard exercise rehabilitation helps, researchers are investigating if HIIT-NoW, which combines short bursts of intense exercise with Nordic walking (using special poles for a whole-body workout), could offer even greater benefits. This approach aims to be more efficient and address both upper and lower body strength. The study wants to find out if HIIT-NoW is a good alternative to improve patients' physical fitness and mood.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

Enrolment target

Start

09 Dec 2022

Estimated completion

01 Apr 2026

Coronary Artery Disease

What is this study about?

Imagine you've had an operation or a procedure to help your heart, like a bypass or having a stent put in to open up a blocked blood vessel. These treatments are really good at improving how long you live. However, even after successful treatment, many people find that their physical and mental health aren't quite as good as they'd like. Things like feeling tired, finding daily tasks difficult, or experiencing low mood are common.

Traditionally, a type of exercise called 'cardiac rehabilitation' helps with these issues. This usually involves steady, moderate exercise. But now, researchers are looking at new ways to exercise that might be even better. One of these is called 'High-Intensity Interval Training' (HIIT), which involves short bursts of hard effort followed by short rests. Another is 'Nordic walking,' which uses special poles to get your whole body, including your arms and upper body, working. It's a bit like cross-country skiing, but without the skis!

This study combines these two ideas into something called 'High-Intensity Interval Nordic Walking' (HIIT-NoW). The aim is to see if this new, combined exercise could be a more effective and perhaps more enjoyable way to improve physical fitness and mental well-being for people who have heart artery disease. Usually, HIIT research in heart rehabilitation has only focused on leg exercises. This study is unique because it's looking at an exercise that works both your upper and lower body at the same time, potentially offering a more complete workout in less time.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new exercise called HIIT-NoW for heart patients.
It aims to improve physical and mental health after heart procedures.
HIIT-NoW combines short intense exercise with full-body Nordic walking.
The study compares it to standard heart exercise rehabilitation.
It's for people aged 40 and over who've had bypass surgery or stents.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease and have had a procedure like a heart bypass operation or a stent inserted. You would need to be at least 40 years old to take part.

To be eligible, you must be willing and able to come to the study center for exercise sessions and to complete some specific health tests. If you are already taking part in another heart rehabilitation program, or if you have certain other serious health conditions like unstable chest pain (angina), some types of irregular heartbeat, severe breathing problems, or specific heart valve issues, then this study might not be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I have coronary artery disease.
I've had heart bypass surgery or a stent.
I am 40 years old or older.
I am able and willing to attend exercise sessions at the study site.
I am not currently in another heart rehabilitation program.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you would come to a study centre for exercise sessions. There would also be some health tests, including one to check your heart and lung fitness, called a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). The researchers would arrange a follow-up visit approximately 10 weeks after you start the program to see how you are doing. The total duration of your participation would be around 10 weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially improve your physical fitness and overall well-being, but there's no guarantee. There might be some risks associated with exercise, especially high-intensity exercise, though the study aims to make it as safe as possible. All medical procedures and exercise programs carry some level of risk. You are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Verified postcode
Ottawa, Canada

Common questions

What is coronary artery disease?

It's a condition where the main blood vessels that supply blood to your heart become blocked or narrowed, often leading to chest pain or heart attacks.

What is Nordic walking?

It's walking with specially designed poles, similar to ski poles, that help you use your upper body muscles more, making it a full-body workout.

What is High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)?

It's a type of exercise where you do short bursts of very hard activity followed by short periods of rest or lighter activity.

Will I have to pay to participate?

No, you will not have to pay to participate in the clinical trial.

What if I change my mind after joining?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it will not affect your medical care.