HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by van den Berg-Emons, R. J Articles by Stam, H. J Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by van den Berg-Emons, R. J Articles by Stam, H. J

Factors Associated With the Level of Movement-Related Everyday Activity and Quality of Life in People With Chronic Heart Failure

RJ van den Berg-Emons, PhD (Health Science), is Research Scientist, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands (h.j.g.vandenberg{at}erasmusmc.nl).
JB Bussmann, PhD (Medicine and Health Science), BSC (PT), is Research Scientist, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam
AH Balk, PhD (Cardiology), is Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam
HJ Stam, PhD (Medicine and Health Science), MD (Medicine and Health Science), is Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine and Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam

Address all correspondence to Dr van den Berg-Emons

Background and Purpose. Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to be effective in people with chronic heart failure (CHF), particularly in terms of exercise capacity. However, no effects have been found on the level of movement-related everyday activity. Therefore, rehabilitation programs also should focus on enhancing the level of movement-related everyday activity. The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with the level of movement-related everyday activity and with quality of life in people with CHF. Subjects and Methods. Measurements of movement-related everyday activity (using an accelerometry-based Activity Monitor), quality of life, and associated factors were performed in 36 people with stable CHF (New York Heart Association classes II and III). Results. Knee flexion and extension torque, and particularly extension torque, were significantly associated with movement-related everyday activity (r =.43–.49, P<.05), whereas non-physiological factors such as feelings of being disabled were associated with quality of life (r =.37–.77, P.01, P<.05). No relationship was found between movement-related everyday activity and quality of life (r =.20–.22, P>.05). Discussion and Conclusion. The results indicate that knee torque is associated with the level of movement-related everyday activity in people with CHF and that quality of life is mediated by nonphysiological factors.

Key Words: Determinant • Everyday activity • Fitness • Heart failure • Quality of life