How in the view of experts can exercise be used, in combination with emerging technologies to improve the quality of life of chronic heart failure sufferers?

Abstract

Wales has a high incidence of chronic disease and current indications suggest that this is likely to increase. Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a problem that has a direct impact on the quality of life (QOL), morbidity and mortality of the population of Wales, the UK and globally. In Wales alone, 32,000 cases of CHF are diagnosed each year. Current technology offers no cure for CHF; at best it slows down the development and progression of the disease. Scientists are developing new treatment modalities, which may cure CHF and improve the QOL of the sufferer. Traditionally, individuals with CHF would be encouraged to rest but, increasingly, researchers have observed that appropriate exercise can positively affect the physiology and psychology of CHF patients. This research seeks to answer the question 'How in the view of experts can exercise be used in combination with emerging technologies to improve the quality of life of chronic heart failure sufferers?' The research is a qualitative study which interviews a range of experts in the field of CHF. It allows an understanding of how experts perceive the efficacy of current treatments, the emerging treatment candidates and how those new technologies maybe combined with exercise to impact positively on the QOL of the suffers. The ten experts interviewed were a combination of practicing clinicians, technologists and research academics. Their views demonstrated a high degree of unanimity, leading to the conclusion that 'experts believe that exercise can be used in combination with emerging technologies to improve the QOL of CHF patients, through the use of left ventricular assist devices and stem cell therapy'. However, the experts also held the unanimous view that a great deal of research was needed in this field in order to define the correct exercise programme and treatment in order to tailor to the need of individual circumstances. The project has led one group of researchers to review their plans, and incorporate the findings of this study into their future research programmes.