Trial results for a study investigating a home-based walking exercise program for Depression in patients with Heart Failure were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-05-12. The home-based walking group achieved a mean Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score of 1.33 points, compared to 3.58 points in the general health education group.
Background
Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Taiwan, affecting approximately 700,000 individuals with heart failure. Despite the proven benefits of rehabilitative exercise, participation in traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs can be suboptimal. Integrating physical activity into daily life, such as home-based walking exercises, presents a practical alternative to promote health and improve outcomes for heart failure patients. Such walking exercises have been shown to significantly impact mortality rates and enhance the quality of life in this population, and this study specifically examined their impact on depression and frailty.
Trial design
This completed study, identified as Phase NA, enrolled 68 participants. The trial investigated the impact of a home-based walking exercise program compared to a general health education program. The study focused on conditions including Heart Failure, Home-based Walking Excercise, Depression, Frailty, and Quality of Life. Participants were assigned to either a Home-based Walking Group or a General Health Education Group.
Key results
Measurements for Depression, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), showed the following mean scores and standard deviations across different time points:
- For the Home-based Walking Group, PHQ-9 scores were 4.62 (Standard Deviation 3.64) points, 2.21 (Standard Deviation 2.04) points, and 1.33 (Standard Deviation 1.32) points.
- For the General Health Education Group, PHQ-9 scores were 5.21 (Standard Deviation 3.41) points, 4.73 (Standard Deviation 4.05) points, and 3.58 (Standard Deviation 3.35) points.
Measurements for Frailty, assessed using the CSHA-CFS scale, also showed varying mean scores and standard deviations:
- For the Home-based Walking Group, CSHA-CFS scores were 1.97 (Standard Deviation 1.00) points, 1.70 (Standard Deviation 0.88) points, and 1.52 (Standard Deviation 0.76) points.
- For the General Health Education Group, CSHA-CFS scores were 2.24 (Standard Deviation 1.08) points, 2.06 (Standard Deviation 0.93) points, and 1.85 (Standard Deviation 0.87) points.
What this means
The results suggest that a home-based walking exercise program may be beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression and improving frailty in patients with heart failure. The consistently lower mean PHQ-9 scores in the home-based walking group, culminating in a mean of 1.33 points compared to 3.58 points in the health education group, indicate a positive impact on depressive symptoms. Similarly, the progressive reduction in frailty scores within the walking group, reaching a mean of 1.52 points, suggests an improvement in physical function. These findings highlight the potential of accessible, integrated physical activity as a practical intervention to enhance mental and physical well-being for individuals managing heart failure, potentially offering an alternative to traditional cardiac rehabilitation for some patients.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT06791967, titled "The Impact of a Home-Based Walking Exercise Program on Heart Failure", were posted on 2026-05-12 on clinicaltrials.gov.