Cardiac rehabilitation in the paediatric Fontan population: Development of a home-based high-intensity interval training programme

Michael Khoury, Devin B. Phillips, Peter W. Wood, William R. Mott, Michael K. Stickland, Pierre Boulanger, Gwen R. Rempel, Jennifer Conway, Andrew S. Mackie, Nee S. Khoo

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Introduction: We evaluated the safety and feasibility of high-intensity interval training via a novel telemedicine ergometer (MedBIKE™) in children with Fontan physiology. Methods: The MedBIKE™ is a custom telemedicine ergometer, incorporating a video game platform and live feed of patient video/audio, electrocardiography, pulse oximetry, and power output, for remote medical supervision and modulation of work. There were three study phases: (I) exercise workload comparison between the MedBIKE™ and a standard cardiopulmonary exercise ergometer in 10 healthy adults. (II) In-hospital safety, feasibility, and user experience (via questionnaire) assessment of a MedBIKE™ high-intensity interval training protocol in children with Fontan physiology. (III) Eight-week home-based high-intensity interval trial programme in two participants with Fontan physiology. Results: There was good agreement in oxygen consumption during graded exercise at matched work rates between the cardiopulmonary exercise ergometer and MedBIKE™ (1.1 ± 0.5 L/minute versus 1.1 ± 0.5 L/minute, p = 0.44). Ten youth with Fontan physiology (11.5 ± 1.8 years old) completed a MedBIKE™ high-intensity interval training session with no adverse events. The participants found the MedBIKE™ to be enjoyable and easy to navigate. In two participants, the 8-week home-based protocol was tolerated well with completion of 23/24 (96%) and 24/24 (100%) of sessions, respectively, and no adverse events across the 47 sessions in total. Conclusion: The MedBIKE™ resulted in similar physiological responses as compared to a cardiopulmonary exercise test ergometer and the high-intensity interval training protocol was safe, feasible, and enjoyable in youth with Fontan physiology. A randomised-controlled trial of a home-based high-intensity interval training exercise intervention using the MedBIKE™ will next be undertaken.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1409-1416
    Number of pages8
    JournalCardiology in the Young
    Volume30
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct. 2020

    Keywords

    • Cardiac rehabilitation
    • Fontan
    • high-intensity interval training
    • telemedicine

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