Adverse Events in a Home-Based Walking Study for High-Risk Participants
Author Information
Author(s): David E. Goodrich, Angela R. Larkin, Julie C. Lowery, Robert G. Holleman, Caroline R. Richardson
Primary Institution: HSR&D Center for Excellence, VA Health Care Medical Center
Hypothesis
Can high-risk individuals safely participate in a home-based walking program without significant adverse events?
Conclusion
Men at high risk for adverse cardiovascular events can safely be advised to start a progressive walking program.
Supporting Evidence
- 87 of 274 participants reported 121 adverse events during the study.
- Only one serious study-related adverse event was reported.
- Non-serious, study-related adverse events made up 12% of all symptoms.
- Serious, non-study related adverse events represented 32% of all symptoms.
- Adverse events caused 50 temporary suspensions averaging 26 days.
Takeaway
This study shows that people with heart problems can safely start walking at home, even if they have other health issues.
Methodology
This was a multi-site, randomized controlled trial that followed participants for 1.5 years, focusing on adverse events during a home-based walking program.
Limitations
The absence of a non-active control group limits comparisons of adverse events with sedentary individuals.
Participant Demographics
{"mean_age":56.3,"gender":"male","ethnicity":{"White/Hispanic":66.9,"African American":27.2,"Native American or Alaskan Native":5.1,"Asian":0.4,"Pacific Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander":0.4},"education":{"less_than_high_school":3.7,"high_school_graduate":15.8,"some_college":47.1,"college_graduate":23.2,"graduate_school":10.3},"income":{"less_than_20000":32.7,"20000_to_39999":26.1,"40000_to_59999":16.9,"60000_to_80000":11.4,"greater_than_80000":9.6},"mean_BMI":36.1}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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