Associations Between Upper Extremity Function, Activities of Daily Living, and Functional Capacity in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

OBJECTIVE
There is limited information regarding the associations between upper extremity function, activities of daily living (ADLs), and functional capacity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between upper extremity function, ADLs, and functional capacity in patients with HFrEF.

METHODS
A total of 31 patients with HFrEF participated in this cross-sectional study. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were recorded. Upper extremity function and ADLs were evaluated with the 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT) and the Glittre ADL Test (TGlittre), respectively. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was used to measure functional capacity. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), dyspnea, and fatigue were assessed at the beginning and end of each test.

RESULTS
6PBRT was significantly correlated with TGlittre (rho=-0.718, p<0.001) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) (r=0.546, p=0.001). A significant correlation was found between TGlittre and 6MWD (rho=-0.810, p<0.001). Changes in HR, SBP, and dyspnea were significantly different between the 6PBRT, TGlittre and 6MWT (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION
Our study shows that upper extremity function is associated with ADLs and functional capacity in patients with HFrEF. 6PBRT requires lower cardiopulmonary demand than TGlittre and 6MWT in this patient population.