In June 2018, researchers from Taiwan published the results of their study to assess the effect of a multidisciplinary disease management programme, with and without exercise, in 212 individuals hospitalized for heart failure. The individuals were divided into three groups, with 71 undertaking a multidisciplinary disease management programme plus an out-patient based exercise regime, 70 undertaking the programme with no out-patient based exercise regime, and 71 who received nothing and who acted as a control group. The multidisciplinary disease management programme included comprehensive assessments, individualized education, pre-scheduled clinic visits, and encouraged to undertake regular physical activity at home. The individuals were followed up monthly for 1 year. Results showed that at 12 months after the initial discharge from hospital, the multidisciplinary disease management programme with and without out-patient based exercise groups had significantly lower heart failure-related rehospitalization rates and better disease knowledge compared with the control group. However, those who also undertook the out-patient based exercise also had a significant improvement in 6-min walking distance test.
Liu MH et al. Effects of a multidisciplinary disease management programme with or without exercise training for heart failure patients: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Int J Nurs Stud. 2018 Jun 18;87:94-102