Researchers in Norway have reported results from a one-year exercise trial for people with non-permanent atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich.
The NEXAF trial included 295 adults who were not meeting general activity recommendations. Half took part in eight supervised high-intensity sessions during the first four to six weeks, then continued with home exercise supported by a smartwatch, an app, and a web platform.
After one year, the exercise group spent 3.9% of the monitored time in atrial fibrillation, compared with 7.1% in the usual-care group. That was a 45% relative reduction in atrial fibrillation burden. Total hospitalizations were 37% lower, and atrial-fibrillation-related hospitalizations were 46% lower.
The exercise plan did not produce a significant difference in the participants' atrial-fibrillation-specific quality-of-life scores. Researchers said the hybrid approach was feasible with modest staff resources and could help bring exercise-based rehabilitation to more patients.
