An Exercise Program in Youngsters with Complex Congenital Heart Disease: does it improve Health Related Quality of Life and Psychosocial Functioning? A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

__Abstract__ A 12-week standardized exercise program improved self-reported cognitive functioning, and parent-reported social functioning in children and adolescents with complex congenital heart disease. Furthermore, it resulted in a decrease in passive leisure time spending. In contrast, it had no effect on emotional and behavioural problems, on sports enjoyment, or on active leisure time spending. Parental mental health moderated changes in social functioning: adolescents in the exercise group whose parents’ overall mental health was worse, reported a pre-post decrease in social functioning, compared with controls