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

June 1, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training vs Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Ejection Fraction, Functional Capacity, and Lipid Profiles in Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation

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.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) in patients undergoing Phase II cardiac rehabilitation after stable coronary artery disease or post-angioplasty. A total of 66 participants will be randomly assigned into two groups.

The HIIT group will perform treadmill-based interval exercise 3 times per week at 85-95% heart rate reserve with active recovery periods, while the MICT group will perform continuous treadmill exercise at 65-75% heart rate reserve for 30-45 minutes.

Primary outcomes include left ventricular ejection fraction (echocardiography), functional capacity (6-minute walk test), and lipid profile (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol) measured before and after intervention. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) will also be assessed. The study aims to determine which exercise protocol produces greater improvement in cardiac and functional outcomes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

66

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Multan, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 60000
        • Ch Pervaiz Elahi institute of cardiology Multan.
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • ALISHBA JAVED, MS-CPPT

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 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).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 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.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
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
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.
Other Names:
  • HIIT
Active Comparator: Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)
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
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.
Other Names:
  • MICT

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Time Frame: Baseline and at 12 weeks after intervention
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
Time Frame: Baseline and at 12 weeks after intervention
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 Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Lipid Profile
Time Frame: Baseline and at 12 weeks after intervention
Laboratory measurement of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to assess metabolic changes after exercise intervention.
Baseline and at 12 weeks after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Arjumand Bano, MSPT, Riphah International University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 2, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/RCR & AHS/25/0320

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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