PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of reinforced walking exercise on dyspnea-fatigue symptoms, daily activities, walking ability and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in heart failure patients. METHODS: This study used a randomized controlled trial design. The participants (experimental group = 16, control group = 25) were recruited from a university hospital in Kyeong-nam area. Data were collected from March to September, 2015. The reinforced walking exercise included goal setting and feedback (telephone and text message) provided for 12 weeks. Dyspnea-Fatigue Index, Korean Activity Scale/Index (KASI), six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and HRQoL were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Fisher's exact test, Chi-2 test, and Kolmogrove-Smirnov test. RESULTS: Prior to the intervention there were no differences in the research variables between two groups. The exercise compliance in the experimental group was 100% (walking for 50 minutes per day, 5 times per week). The experimental group had improved dyspnea-fatigue symptoms (t = 8.63, p < 0.001), daily activities (t = -4.92, p < 0.001), longer 6MWD (t = -5.66, p < 0.001), and increased HRQoL (t = -9.05, p < 0.001) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The reinforced walking exercise could be a cost-effective intervention in heart failure patient, which could enhance patients' outcomes, such as improving dyspnea-fatigue symptoms, daily activities, walking ability, and quality of life.

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