A home-based walking program improves erectile dysfunction in men with an acute myocardial infarction.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of a home-based walking program on erectile function and the relationship between functional capacity and erectile dysfunction in low-risk post-myocardial infarction patients.
Results Summary
The home-based walking group showed a 71% decrease in erectile dysfunction and significantly improved functional capacity compared to the control group, with a strong negative correlation between walking distance and erectile dysfunction.
Population
Men at low cardiovascular risk after recent acute myocardial infarctions.
Effective Dosage
Progressive outdoor walking program (specific frequency/distance not detailed).
Duration
30 days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
home-based walking program | decrease | reported ED | patients with recent myocardial infarctions at low cardiovascular risk | 71% | had a significant decrease | #1 |
usual care | increase | ED | patients with recent myocardial infarctions at low cardiovascular risk | 9% | had increased | #2 |
home-based walking program | increase | 6-minute walk distance | patients with recent myocardial infarctions at low cardiovascular risk | - | was statistically significant higher | #3 |
- | decrease | 6-minute walk distance and ED | patients with recent myocardial infarctions at low cardiovascular risk | r = -0.71 | was a significant negative correlation | #4 |
unsupervised home-based progressive walking program | increase | functional capacity | men at low cardiovascular risk after recent acute myocardial infarctions | - | led to significant improvements | #5 |
this intervention | increase | functional capacity and exercise training and erectile function improvement | men at low cardiovascular risk after recent acute myocardial infarctions | - | demonstrated a link | #6 |
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a home-based walking program on erectile function and the relation between functional capacity and erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with recent myocardial infarctions. Patients with acute myocardial infarctions deemed to be at low cardiovascular risk were randomized into 2 groups: (1) a home-based walking group (n = 41), instructed to participate in a progressive outdoor walking program, and (2) a control group (n = 45), receiving usual care. Functional capacity was determined by the 6-minute walk test and evaluation of sexual function by the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire; the 2 tests were performed at hospital discharge and 30 days later. In the overall cohort, 84% of patients reported previous ED at hospital discharge. After 30 days, ED had increased by 9% in the control group in relation to baseline (p = 0.08). However, the home-based walking group had a significant decrease of 71% in reported ED (p <0.0001). The 6-minute walk distance was statistically significant higher in the home-based walking group compared with the control group (p = 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between 6-minute walk distance and ED 30 days after hospital discharge (r = -0.71, p <0.01). In conclusion, an unsupervised home-based progressive walking program led to significant improvements in functional capacity in men at low cardiovascular risk after recent acute myocardial infarctions. In addition, this intervention demonstrated a link between functional capacity and exercise training and erectile function improvement.