Meta-Analysis European Society of Cardiology (Impact Factor = I.F. 7.804). 2022 Mar 25;29(3):475-484.

Articolo completo: https://t.ly/krMBq

The effect of high-intensity interval training on exercise capacity in post-

myocardial infarction patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Yuan Qin 1, Pravesh Kumar Bundhun 2, Zhang-Li Yuan 3, Meng-Hua Chen 1
1
Department of Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530000, China.
2
Department of Internal Medicine, Bruno Cheong Hospital, Centre De Flacq 40601, Mauritius.
3
Department of Emergency Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530000, China.

NB: A systematic review attempts to gather all available empirical research by using clearly defined, systematic methods to obtain answers to a
specific question. A meta-analysis is the statistical process of analyzing and combining results from several similar studies.

Abstract
Aims: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation has been recommended a treatment for patients with
cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, it remains controversial which exercise characteristics are
most beneficial for post-Myocardial Infarction (MI) patients. We performed a systematic review
and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in these
patients.

Methods and results: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and more such China
National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database
(VIP), and Wanfang Dataset (from the earliest date available to February 2021) for randomized
controlled trials and cohort studies that evaluated the effects of HIIT (High Intensity Interval
Training) on post-MI patients. Studies were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The initial search identified 607 articles, of which 265 were eligible for title and abstracts scanning
following the exclusion of duplicates. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 243 literatures
were excluded with 22 left. After complete reading full-texts of 22 articles, eight articles met the
eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Data synthesis was performed with R
software version 4.0.1. Eight studies met the study criteria, including 387 patients. Compared to the
control group [Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) and/or routine physical activity],
HIIT significantly improved peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) [mean difference = 3.83 mL/kg/min,
95% confidence interval (CI) (3.25, 4.41), P < 0.01]. No significant difference in dangerous
parameters such as systolic and diastolic blood pressures, peak and resting heart rate, left
ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic volume. and the quality of life was found
between HIIT group and control group (Meaning: the improvement of quality of life was similar in
both group performing HIIT and the control group performing routine physical activity). The
duration of follow-up ranged from 6 to 12 weeks. The incidence of adverse events was similar
between groups [risk difference = 0.01, 95% CI (-0.02, 0.04), P = 0.53].

Conclusion: Compared with MICT and routine physical activity, HIIT could significantly improve
exercise capacity in post-MI patients, and appears to be safe.

Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation; Exercise training; Myocardial infarction.