Physical Training as Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Neurocardiogenic Syncope

Background

Characterized as a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness and postural tone,with quick and spontaneous recovery, syncope is caused by an acute reduction ofsystemic arterial pressure and, therefore, of cerebral blood flow. Unsatisfactoryresults with the use of drugs allowed the nonpharmacological treatment ofneurocardiogenic syncope was contemplated as the first therapeutic option.

Objectives

To compare, in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope, the impact of a moderateintensity aerobic physical training (AFT) and a control intervention on thepositivity of head-up tilting test (HUT) and orthostatic tolerance time.

Methods

Were studied 21 patients with a history of recurrent neurocardiogenic syncope andHUT. The patients were randomized into: trained group (TG), n = 11, and controlgroup (CG), n = 10. The TG was submitted to 12 weeks of AFT supervised, in cycleergometer, and the CG to a control procedure that consisted in 15 minutes ofstretching and 15 minutes of light walk.

Results

The TG had a positive effect to physical training, with a significant increase inpeak oxygen consumption. The CG did not show any statistically significant changebefore and after the intervention. After the intervention period, 72.7% of the TGsample had negative results to the HUT, not having syncope in the revaluation.

Conclusion

The program of supervised aerobic physical training for 12 weeks was able toreduce the number of positive HUT, as it was able to increase tolerance time inorthostatic position during the HUT after the intervention period.