High-Intensity Interval Training vs Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation

NCT07619664 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0320
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 66
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) in patients undergoing Phase II cardiac rehabilitation after coronary artery disease or post-angioplasty. A total of 66 participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: HIIT (n=33) and MICT (n=33). The intervention will be conducted 3 times per week using treadmill-based exercise protocols under heart rate monitoring. Primary outcomes include changes in left ventricular ejection fraction, functional capacity measured by 6-minute walk test, and lipid profile parameters before and after intervention. Secondary assessment includes health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study aims to determine which exercise modality provides superior cardiovascular and functional improvement in stable cardiac patients during supervised rehabilitation.

Conditions

Coronary Artery Disease

Keywords

Cardiac Rehabilitation ,High-Intensity Interval Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

  Assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction using echocardiography to determine changes in cardiac function after intervention.

  Baseline and at 12 weeks after intervention

• Functional Capacity

  Functional capacity will be measured by 6-minute walk test to evaluate distance covered during exercise tolerance assessment

  Baseline and at 12 weeks after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Lipid Profile

  Baseline and at 12 weeks after intervention

Study Arms (2)

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform supervised treadmill-based high-intensity interval training 3 sessions per week, including 10-minute warm-up, 4 intervals of 4 minutes at 85-95% heart rate reserve, 4-minute active recovery at 50-60% heart rate reserve, followed by 5-minute cool-down.

Behavioral: High-Intensity Interval Training

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will perform supervised treadmill-based continuous exercise 3 sessions per week at 65-75% heart rate reserve for 30-45 minutes, with warm-up and cool-down periods.

Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training

Interventions

High-Intensity Interval Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform supervised treadmill-based high-intensity interval training 3 times per week. Each session includes 10 minutes warm-up, 4 intervals of 4 minutes at 85-95% heart rate reserve, 4 minutes active recovery at 50-60% heart rate reserve, followed by 5 minutes cool-down.

Also known as: HIIT

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform supervised treadmill-based continuous exercise 3 times per week at 65-75% heart rate reserve for 30-45 minutes, including warm-up and cool-down periods.

Also known as: MICT

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18-60 years.
• Diagnosed with stable coronary artery disease confirmed by angiography, stress testing, or echocardiography.
• Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥45%.
• Functional NYHA Class I or II.
• Medically cleared by a cardiologist to participate in exercise (including recent ECG or stress test if necessary).
• Lightly active lifestyle prior to study (not involved in structured exercise programs).

You may not qualify if:

• Unstable angina or recent myocardial infarction (within the past 6 weeks).
• Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP \>180 mmHg or diastolic BP \>110 mmHg).
• Severe valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, or left ventricular dysfunction (EF \<35%).
• Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., severe osteoarthritis, recent fractures, or surgeries) preventing safe participation in exercise.
• Neurological disorders affecting mobility or safe exercise (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease).
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c \>9% or recent hypoglycemia).
• Any other condition judged by the investigator to make participation unsafe.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ch Pervaiz Elahi institute of cardiology Multan.

Multan, Punjab Province, 60000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Coronary Artery Disease

Interventions

High-Intensity Interval Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Coronary Disease; Myocardial Ischemia; Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Vascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Arjumand Bano, MSPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Muhammad Iqbal Tariq, Phd*

CONTACT

333826752; iqbal.tariq@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This study is open-label because both participants and care providers are aware of the assigned exercise intervention. Outcome measurements will be recorded using standardized assessment tools including echocardiography, laboratory investigations, and 6-minute walk test.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups: one group will receive High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and the other group will receive Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT). Both groups will receive supervised treadmill-based exercise interventions during Phase II cardiac rehabilitation, and outcomes will be compared before and after intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 2, 2026
• First Posted: June 2, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)