Psychophysiological rehabilitation with intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training in elderly patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure

Aim . To study the effect of rehabilitation using intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) on anxiety and depression, quality of life (QOL), and exercise tolerance in elderly patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF). Material and methods. This single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-group study included 102 elderly patients with MI and HF. Patients were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (n=51) received standard rehabilitation combined with IHHT using the ReOxy device; the control group (n=51) received standard rehabilitation alone. All patients were assessed for anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), quality of life using the EuroQol-5D questionnaire, and 6-minute walk test distance. Results . The groups were comparable in clinical and demographic characteristics (p>0,05). In the experimental group, compared with the standard rehabilitation group, there was a more pronounced decrease in the HADS score (2,0 (0,0; 7,0) vs 1,0 (0,0; 4,0), p=0,040) and an improvement in QOL according to the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level Version (EQ-5D-5L) visual analogue scale (20,0% (0,0; 30,0) vs 15,0% (-25,0; 30,0), p=0,044). This was accompanied by a greater increase in distance during the 6-minute walk test (up to 51,0 (33,0; 86,0) m in the experimental group vs 30,0 (22,5; 56,0) m, p=0,001). Conclusion . Adding IHHT to a standard rehabilitation program for patients with MI and HF reduces anxiety, improves QOL, and improves exercise tolerance.