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A Simple Home-Based Lifestyle Intervention Program to Improve Cardiac Autonomic Regulation in Patients with Increased Cardiometabolic Risk

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Lucini

    (BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
    Exercise Medicine Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Italy)

  • Mara Malacarne

    (BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
    Exercise Medicine Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Italy)

  • Wolfgang Gatzemeier

    (Cancer Center, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Italy)

  • Massimo Pagani

    (BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Lifestyle modification programs (LMP) represent a new approach to cardiometabolic/oncologic risk reduction. Successful LMP in clinical practice must be feasible, cost effective, efficacious and consider home-based exercise. Likewise, multiple mechanisms implied in cardiometabolic risk reduction such as cardiac autonomic regulation (CAR) should be easily evidenced, in spite of the computational complexity involved. This goal could be facilitated by employing novel, friendlier, simpler techniques, such as the Autonomic Nervous System Index (ANSI), which can be treated as a proxy of CAR. In this observational study, we introduce a simple LMP (based on cognitive behavioral strategies and patient-tailored prescription of nutrition and home-based exercise, managed by a single physician) into the currently existing clinical practice of secondary cardiometabolic prevention. In 26 subjects, we assessed CAR (autoregressive spectral analysis of cardiovascular variabilities), body mass composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis) and stress perception (questionnaires). After LMP, ANSI and lipid profile were improved; % of fat mass, waist circumference and stress perception were reduced. We conclude that this preliminary, proof of concept study provides significant evidence in favor of the hypothesis that it is possible to introduce a convenient, cost effective LMP into the currently existing clinical practice of secondary cardiometabolic prevention. Findings suggest a successful comprehensive behavioral change, possibly facilitated by the simplified approach employed in this study, capable of improving cardiac autonomic regulation in addition to body mass composition and stress perception.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Lucini & Mara Malacarne & Wolfgang Gatzemeier & Massimo Pagani, 2020. "A Simple Home-Based Lifestyle Intervention Program to Improve Cardiac Autonomic Regulation in Patients with Increased Cardiometabolic Risk," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7671-:d:414802
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniela Lucini & Massimo Pagani, 2021. "Exercise Prescription to Foster Health and Well-Being: A Behavioral Approach to Transform Barriers into Opportunities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Daniela Lucini & Leonarda Galiuto & Mara Malacarne & Maria Chiara Meucci & Massimo Pagani, 2021. "Cardiac Autonomic Effects of Yearly Athletic Retreats on Elite Basket Players: Usefulness of a Unitary Autonomic Nervous System Indicator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Eleonora Pagani & Naomi Gavazzoni & Giuseppina Bernardelli & Mara Malacarne & Nadia Solaro & Emanuele Giusti & Gianluca Castelnuovo & Piero Volpi & Giulia Carimati & Daniela Lucini, 2023. "Psychological Intervention Based on Mental Relaxation to Manage Stress in Female Junior Elite Soccer Team: Improvement in Cardiac Autonomic Control, Perception of Stress and Overall Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.

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