Remote Self-training Program for Patients With Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Remote Self-training Program for Patients With Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

The purpose of this research is to evaluate if a hybrid semi-supervised remote exercise training program can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life and physical fitness in individuals with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and determine if this program is more effective than current standard of care.

To answer these questions, 60 individuals with POTS will be recruited to complete a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test with measures of cardiac output, autonomic function testing, blood volume measurement, and QOL questionnaires at baseline and following 3-months of treatment. Thirty participants will be randomized to continue with the standard of care which can include lower body and core strengthening, fluids, salt, medications and sometimes exercise. The other thirty participants will be asked to complete at least three exercise training sessions a week (progressing to 3hrs/wk of aerobic and 1hr/wk of strength training) and receive eight supervised training sessions over the 3-month treatment period. All participants will be provided with a polar heart rate monitor which will be linked to a connected health application to allow patients to track any aerobic workout, ensure during a session they are in the correct training zone, and allow the study team to remotely monitor adherence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Meet diagnosis criteria for POTS = a heart rate increase of ≥ 30bpm with supine to 10 minutes of standing or head-up tilt or heart rate exceeding 120 ppm after 10 minutes of standing or tilt without evidence of orthostatic hypertension (a fall in BP of > 20/10 mmHg)
• Been diagnosed with POTS ≥6 months prior to participation in the study (chronic)
• Female subjects must not be pregnant or trying to become pregnant during duration of study participation
• Those in exercise training group must be on stable medications for at least 1 month and medication must remain consistent for duration of study participation. For those in the standard of care group, a change in medication will be allowed within the first month following baseline testing, but then must remain consistent until 3-month testing time point.
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) patients will be included, but will target equal randomization between treatment groups

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individual is not eligible if they are currently exercising, cut off >30 minutes of structured exercise/physical activity per week. (assessed by Global Physical Activity Questionnaire)