Robotic-assisted Exercise Training in Heart Failure

In the researchers' words

Background: Regular physical activity is an evidence-based adjuvant therapy of chronic heart failure or chronic lung diseases. Structured exercise training is safe, increases exercise capacity and quality of life, relieves symptoms and reduces hospitalization rates. Even a trend towards reduction of mortality has been identified. However, dyspnea and fatigue, typical symptoms of heart or lung failure, force patients to physical inactivity which fatally aggravates deconditioning and exercise intolerance, leading to an increased risk of hospitalization and a loss of independence and quality of life. To break through this vicious circle physical activity must be restored, since exercise intolerance can be successfully improved by physical training. Purpose: This study will address the challenging task of remobilizing patients with advanced chronic lung or heart failure in a functional New York Heart Association class III-IV by using an externally physically-supported exosuit movement therapy. This soft, wearable robot (fig. 1) assists mobilization according to individual needs by activating neuromuscular feedback systems, promoting physical activity and preventing early physical exhaustion. The investigators hypotheses that an exosuit-supported training increases exercise capacity and quality of life in a greater degree than non-supported training. Methods: The study will…