Study of Combined Inspiratory Muscle Training and Electrical Stimulation in Hospitalized Patients With Decompensated Heart Failure Aged 45 to 65 Years

What this Trial Is About

Heart failure is a common condition causing reduced exercise tolerance, shortness of breath, and poor quality of life. Many patients with heart failure develop inspiratory muscle weakness, which limits physical activity and worsens functional capacity. This study evaluates the effects of combining inspiratory muscle training IMT with functional electrical stimulation FES of the lower limbs in patients hospitalized with decompensated heart failure, aiming to improve cardiac and muscle function and exercise tolerance. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups one receiving routine medical treatment plus both IMT and FES, another receiving routine medical treatment with IMT only, and a control group receiving routine medical treatment alone. Inspiratory muscle training involves using a device at 30% maximal inspiratory pressure for 30 minutes per session, 4-5 times weekly, for four weeks. Functional electrical stimulation is applied to leg muscles using surface electrodes with specific electrical settings for about 45 minutes per session. The interventions start during hospitalization and continue for four weeks. Participants will be assessed at baseline and after four weeks for maximum inspiratory pressure, dyspnea severity, quality of life, functional capacity via a 6-minute walk test, heart rate, oxygen saturation, hand grip strength, maximum expiratory pressure, and peak oxygen uptake. Length of hospital stay will also be recorded. The study involves close monitoring during hospitalization and follow-up assessments, aiming to clarify the role of combined IMT and FES in cardiac rehabilitation for this patient group.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Decompensated Heart Failure