Effectiveness of resistance training on the improvement of functional capacity and quality of life in heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

摘要

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of resistance training (RT) on the improvement of functional capacity (FC) and quality of life (QOL) in heart failure (HF) patients. An electronic search was performed in databases (PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL, Lilacs, and Cochrane), without restrictions of language or year of publication, using the following keywords: heart failure, resistance training, exercise tolerance, quality of life, fatigue, dyspnea, and muscle strength. Clinical trials were included, with a sample composed of individuals with HF in the functional classes I, II, or III of the New York Heart Association; with average age < 65; sedentary; clinically stable and pharmacologically optimized; with ejection fraction (EF) < 45% of the predicted. The intervention should be the exclusive RT. We described the methodological aspects by the bias risk and a meta-analysis with subgroup analysis. Seven studies were included for qualitative analysis. The agreement (Kappa index - k) between researchers was k=0.74. Most studies that assess FC and QOL showed increase in VO2 max (maximal oxygen consumption) and in the final scores of the QOL questionnaires for the intervention group. The results of FC enabled a meta-analysis, showing a final increase of 0.52 (0.17-0.87) ml??kga??1??mina??1 (milliliters??kilograma??1??mina??1) in the VO2 max after RT, with low heterogeneity. However, statistical limitations and diversity of interventions were evidenced after the analysis by subgroups. The limitations found in the selected studies still do not allow considering RT effective in improving FC and QOL in HF patients.