A one-year study found that a structured exercise program reduced time spent in atrial fibrillation by 45% compared to usual care.
Key facts
- •The NEXAF trial followed 295 participants with non-permanent AFib over one year.
- •Participants in the exercise group saw a 45% relative reduction in time spent in AFib.
- •Total hospitalizations were 37% lower for the exercise group, with AFib-related hospitalizations dropping by 46%.
- •The study was led by Dr. Bjarne Nes of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
- •The research was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 in Munich.
The NEXAF clinical trial, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026, indicates that a tailored exercise program can significantly reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Participants who followed a supervised and home-based exercise regimen spent 45% less time in arrhythmia compared to those receiving standard care over a one-year period.
By the numbers
Trial Structure and Methodology
The study involved 295 participants in Norway with non-permanent AFib and low physical activity levels. The intervention group underwent eight supervised, high-intensity sessions in the first four to six weeks, followed by a transition to home-based exercise monitored via smartwatches and apps. Researchers used insertable cardiac monitors to continuously record heart activity, measuring the percentage of time patients spent in AFib.
Clinical Outcomes and Findings
At the end of the year, the exercise group spent 3.9% of their time in AFib, while the usual-care group spent 7.1%. Beyond the reduction in AFib burden, the exercise group experienced 37% fewer total hospitalizations and 46% fewer AFib-related hospitalizations. While participants in the exercise group showed improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and resting heart rate, the study did not find a statistically significant difference in quality-of-life scores between the two groups.
Limitations and Future Research
The findings have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Experts noted that the trial population was limited to physically inactive individuals in Norway, and further research is needed to determine how these results apply to more diverse patient groups. Cardiologists emphasized that such programs should be individualized and initiated only after medical evaluation.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Healthline.
