Effects of an exercise intervention for older heart failure patients on caregiver burden and emotional distress.
BACKGROUND
The impact of exercise programmes for heart failure on those close to the patient is largely unknown. We examined the effect of a hospital and home-based exercise intervention on burden, anxiety and depression of informal caregivers.


METHODS
The study was a randomized, controlled trial. Heart failure patients were randomized to a seated 12-week hospital-based exercise programme. Caregiver measures were gathered at baseline, 3 months later and 6 months following baseline.


METHODS
Sixty caregivers (mean age 63.4 years, 65% female) of heart failure patients (n = 82, mean age 80.5 years, 44% female) participating in a trial of an exercise intervention were recruited. Caregiver burden, anxiety and depression were assessed.


RESULTS
There were no differences in caregiver burden, depression or anxiety between the two groups of caregivers at baseline (caregiver burden, patient control 33.1 versus patient exercise 34.1; anxiety 4.1 versus 5.5; depression 2.8 versus 3.8). At 3 months there were no differences between caregivers in the two groups on outcomes. At 6-month follow-up caregivers of heart failure patients in the exercise group had burden scores that were significantly worse than the control group. There were no differences between the carers of exercise and control groups in anxiety and depression. Levels of anxiety and depression in the entire carer sample were marginally higher than reference values in a healthy non-clinical sample.


CONCLUSIONS
The present exercise interventions for frail older patients did not benefit caregivers and was associated with an increase in caregiver burden. We suggest that future exercise interventions for heart failure patients should actively incorporate informal caregivers into research designs.
Molloy
Gerard J
GJ
School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. g.molloy@abdn.ac.uk
Johnston
Derek W
DW
Gao
Chuan
C
Witham
Miles D
MD
Gray
Joan M
JM
Argo
Ishbel S
IS
Struthers
Allan D
AD
McMurdo
Marion E T
ME
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001007:Anxiety; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression; D004644:Emotions; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological