ORIGINAL PAPER Comparison of hospital-based versus home-based exercise training in patients with heart failure: effects on functional capacity, quality of life, psychological symptoms, and hemodynamic parameters Hale Karapolat Æ Emre Demir Æ Yasemin Turan Bozkaya Æ Sibel Eyigor Æ Sanem Nalbantgil Æ Berrin Durmaz Æ Mehdi Zoghi Received: 24 February 2009 / Accepted: 7 July 2009 / Published online: 30 July 2009 Ó Springer-Verlag 2009 Abstract Purpose To compare the effects of home-based and hospital-based exercise programs on exercise capacity, quality of life, psychological symptoms, and hemodynamic parameters in heart failure (HF) patients. Methods Seventy-four patients were randomized into either a hospital-based exercise (Group 1) or a home-based exercise (Group 2) group. Prior to and after the 8-week rehabilitation program, the two groups were compared with respect to their functional capacity [maximal oxygen uptake (pVO 2 ) and 6-min walk test (6MWT)], quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study and the 36-item Short Form Survey, SF-36), psychological symptoms [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory], and hemodynamic parameters [(left ventricular diastolic diameter in diastole, left ventricular diameter in systole, Mitral Early diastolic peak flow velocity (E)/late diastolic peak flow velocity (A), Mitral E/Mitral early peak velocity (E m ), Tei index, right ventricular systolic peak velocity (S m ), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP), and left and right ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF and RVEF)]. Results After the exercise programs, significant improve- ment was observed in pVO 2 , 6MWT and subscales of physical function, general health, and vitality of SF 36, as well as BDI and LVEF in both groups (P \ 0.05). A com- parison of the two exercise groups revealed no significant differences between them regarding the analyzed variables (P [ 0.05). Conclusion Both the hospital-based and home-based exercise groups improved significantly in functional capacity, quality of life, depression symptoms, and LVEF. Based on these results, we believe that physicians can recommend home-based exercise under strict supervision for stable HF patients. However, additional research should be conducted in this area. Keywords Exercise training Á Heart failure Introduction Heart failure (HF) is a common and disabling syndrome that is the common final pathway for a number of cardiac conditions. Despite major advances in the pharmacological treatment of HF, the number of patients afflicted with HF is rising yearly, and many patients suffer from dyspnea, fatigue, diminished exercise capacity, and poor quality of life [1]. In recent years, it has been suggested that exercise training is a crucial and effective method for treating HF patients [2]. Many studies have reported that exercise training improves HF patients’ peak oxygen consumption, muscle strength and mass, New York Heart Association functional class, and quality of life [3, 4]. In addition, studies also have suggested that exercise training can remedy the abnormal autonomic, neurohormonal, and hemodynamic function associated with HF syndrome [5, 6]. The majority of studies in this area have used either hospital- or home-based exercise groups as control groups [7, 8], but no studies have compared the treatment’s effects on these two types of exercise groups. In addition, to the H. Karapolat (&) Á S. Eyigor Á B. Durmaz Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Ege University Medical Faculty, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey e-mail: haleuzum76@hotmail.com E. Demir Á Y. T. Bozkaya Á S. Nalbantgil Á M. Zoghi Cardiology Department, Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey 123 Clin Res Cardiol (2009) 98:635–642 DOI 10.1007/s00392-009-0049-6