A home-based walking program improves erectile dysfunction in men with an acute myocardial infarction.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a home-based walking program on erectile function and the relation between functional capacity and erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with recent myocardial infarctions. Patients with acute myocardial infarctions deemed to be at low cardiovascular risk were randomized into 2 groups: (1) a home-based walking group (n = 41), instructed to participate in a progressive outdoor walking program, and (2) a control group (n = 45), receiving usual care. Functional capacity was determined by the 6-minute walk test and evaluation of sexual function by the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire; the 2 tests were performed at hospital discharge and 30 days later. In the overall cohort, 84% of patients reported previous ED at hospital discharge. After 30 days, ED had increased by 9% in the control group in relation to baseline (p = 0.08). However, the home-based walking group had a significant decrease of 71% in reported ED (p <0.0001). The 6-minute walk distance was statistically significant higher in the home-based walking group compared with the control group (p = 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between 6-minute walk distance and ED 30 days after hospital discharge (r = -0.71, p <0.01). In conclusion, an unsupervised home-based progressive walking program led to significant improvements in functional capacity in men at low cardiovascular risk after recent acute myocardial infarctions. In addition, this intervention demonstrated a link between functional capacity and exercise training and erectile function improvement.
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Disciplines, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Isis
I
Begot
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Disciplines, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Thatiana C A
TC
Peixoto
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Disciplines, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Laion R A
LR
Gonzaga
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Disciplines, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Douglas W
DW
Bolzan
Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Valeria
V
Papa
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Disciplines, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Antonio C C
AC
Carvalho
Department of Physical Therapy and Integrative Physiology Laboratory, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois.
Ross
R
Arena
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Disciplines, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Walter J
WJ
Gomes
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Disciplines, São Paulo Hospital, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Human Motion Sciences, Physical Therapy School, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, Brazil. Electronic address: sguizilini@unifesp.br.
Solange
S
Guizilini
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004434:Early Ambulation; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012648:Self Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking