Cardiovascular Outcomes of Patients Referred to Home Based Cardiac Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND Globally, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Cardiovascular mortality can be decreased by participation in cardiac rehabilitation. Researchers are exploring the use of mHealth technology in cardiac rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review is to examine the effectiveness of randomized controlled trials that use a mHealth intervention as a part of an outpatient and/or home-based cardiac rehabilitation program on improving physical activity and physical fitness outcomes. METHODS For this systematic review, mHealth interventions were limited to text messaging, mobile apps, and use of a mobile phone network for data transmission, used to deliver cardiac rehabilitation program. Using six databases, the search strategy included published English language studies through 2016. Data was extracted independently by two reviewers, and then synthesized. RESULTS The initial search yielded 149 articles, of which 15 articles that represented nine studies met inclusion criteria. Articles were published from 2010 to 2016 and came from two continents. The majority (84%) of participants were male. Generally, the participant mean age was late 50s to early 60s. Text messaging was the most frequently used intervention. The results of the physical activity and physical fitness findings were mixed. Effect sizes for intervention as measured by the 6-minute walk test ranged from 0.46 to 0.58 and peak VO2 ranged from 0.03 to 1.35. CONCLUSIONS Globally, use of mHealth in outpatient and/or home-based cardiac rehabilitation is being studied with greater attention. However, these studies are limited by geography, gender, and age. Therefore, further research in the area of cardiac rehabilitation and mHealth is recommended, especially in developing countries, among women, and older adults.

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COVID-19 era in long-term cardiac rehabilitation programs: how was muscle strenght and lean mass affected in cardiovascular patients?

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab061.362 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Borges ◽

M Lemos Pires ◽

R Pinto ◽

G De Sa ◽

I Ricardo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽

Lean Mass ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Face To Face ◽

Home Based ◽

Lower Limb Strength

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Exercise prescription is one of the main components of phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) programs due to its documented prognostic benefits. It has been well established that, when added to aerobic training, resistance training (RT) leads to greater improvements in peripheral muscle strength and muscle mass in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). With COVID-19, most centre-based CR programs had to be suspended and CR patients had to readjust their RT program to a home-based model where weight training was more difficult to perform. How COVID-19 Era impacted lean mass and muscle strength in trained CVD patients who were attending long-term CR programs has yet to be discussed. Purpose To assess upper and lower limb muscle strength and lean mass in CVD patients who had their centre-based CR program suspended due to COVID-19 and compare it with previous assessments. Methods 87 CVD patients (mean age 62.9 ± 9.1, 82.8% male), before COVID-19, were attending a phase III centre-based CR program 3x/week and were evaluated annually. After 7 months of suspension, 57.5% (n = 50) patients returned to the face-to-face CR program. Despite all constraints caused by COVID-19, body composition and muscle strength of 35 participants (mean age 64.7 ± 7.9, 88.6% male) were assessed. We compared this assessment with previous years and established three assessment time points: M1) one year before COVID-19 (2018); M2) last assessment before COVID-19 (2019); M3) the assessment 7 months after CR program suspension (last trimester of 2020). Upper limbs strength was measured using a JAMAR dynamometer, 30 second chair stand test (number of repetitions – reps) was used to measure lower limbs strength and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure upper and lower limbs lean mass. Repeated measures ANOVA were used. Results Intention to treat analysis showed that upper and lower limbs lean mass did not change from M1 to M2 but decreased significantly from M2 to M3 (arms lean mass in M2: 5.68 ± 1.00kg vs M3: 5.52 ± 1.06kg, p = 0.004; legs lean mass in M2: 17.40 ± 2.46kg vs M3: 16.77 ± 2.61kg, p = 0.040). Lower limb strength also decreased significantly from M2 to M3 (M2: 23.31 ± 5.76 reps vs M3: 21.11 ± 5.31 reps, p = 0.014) after remaining stable in the year prior to COVID-19. Upper limb strength improved significantly from M1 to M2 (M1: 39.00 ± 8.64kg vs M2: 40.53 ± 8.77kg, p = 0.034) but did not change significantly from M2 to M3 (M2 vs M3: 41.29 ± 9.13kg, p = 0.517). Conclusion After CR centre-based suspension due to COVID-19, we observed a decrease in upper and lower limbs lean mass and lower limb strength in previously trained CVD patients. These results should emphasize the need to promote all efforts to maintain physical activity and RT through alternative effective home-based CR programs when face-to-face models are not available or possible to be implemented.

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Effect of mobile guided cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life – the EU-CaRE randomised clinical trial

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3105 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

V Houben ◽

J.A Snoek ◽

E Prescott ◽

N Mikkelsen ◽

A.E Van Der Velde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽

Control Group ◽

Funding Source ◽

Multi Centre Study ◽

Old Patients ◽

Home Based ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background and purpose Although participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves quality of life (QoL), participation in CR, especially among elderly, is limited. We conducted this study to assess whether mobile home-based CR (mCR) increases QoL in elderly (≥65 years old) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or a valvular intervention who decline participation in conventional CR. Methods It is designed as a randomised multi-centre study with two parallel arms. Randomisation assigned patients either to mCR or a control group. mCR Consisted of six months of home-based CR with telemonitoring and coaching. Control-group patients did not receive any form of CR throughout the study period. Quality of life was measured with the SF-36v2 questionnaire at 0, 6 and 12 months. Results A total of 179 patients were included in this study (90 control, 89 mCR). A flowchart of the trial is presented in Figure 1. Patients were predominantly male (81.1%). Baseline characteristics can be found in Table 1. Patients using mCR improved on physical QoL after 6 (p=0.026) and 12 (p=0.008) months. There was no difference on mental QoL for both groups (mCR 6 months p=0.563, 12 months p=0.945; control 6 months p=0.589, 12 months p=0.542). No difference existed in QoL between the mCR and control group (physical: 6 months p=0.070, 12 months p=0.150; mental: 6 months p=0.355, 12 months p=0.625). Conclusion Although there is no significant difference in QoL between the control and mCR group, mCR increases physical QoL after 6 and 12 months in elderly patients who decline participation in conventional CR. Therefore E-Health tools should be considered as an alternative for conventional CR when (elderly) patients decline to participate in conventional CR. Figure 1. Flow chart of all eligible patients Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme

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Cardiac rehabilitation via telerehabilitation in COVID-19 pandemic situation

The Egyptian Heart Journal ◽

10.1186/s43044-021-00156-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dian M. Sari ◽

Laurentia C. G. Wijaya

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Second Phase ◽

Main Body ◽

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program ◽

Care Providers ◽

Adherence To Medication ◽

Home Based

Abstract Background Adherence to medication and lifestyle changes are very important in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. One of the ways is by doing a cardiac rehabilitation program. Main body of the abstract Cardiac rehabilitation program is divided into three phases. The cardiac rehabilitation program’s implementation, especially the second phase, center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR), has many barriers not to participate optimally. Therefore, the third phase, known as home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR), can become a substitute or addition to CBCR. On the other hand, this phase is also an essential part of the patients’ functional capacity. During the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, HBCR has become the leading solution in the cardiac rehabilitation program’s sustainability. Innovation is needed in its implementation, such as telerehabilitation. So, the cardiac rehabilitation program can be implemented by patients and monitored by health care providers continuously. Short conclusion Physicians play an essential role in motivating patients and encouraging their family members to commit to a sustainable CR program with telerehabilitation to facilitate its implementation.

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Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation: the patients claim for new strategies but do they adhere?

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab061.335 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

P Alves Da Silva ◽

I Aguiar-Ricardo ◽

N Cunha ◽

T Rodrigues ◽

B Valente-Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exercise Training ◽

Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Training Session ◽

Educational Status ◽

Drop Out ◽

Therapeutic Adherence ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Home Based ◽

Degree Of Participation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are established interventions to improve cardiovascular health, despite asymmetries in referral. With covid 19 outbreak, cardiac rehabilitation home based (CR-HB) programs emerged as an alternative. However, its adherence and implementation may vary greatly with socio-demographic factors. Purpose To assess adherence to the various components of a CR-HB program. Methods Prospective cohort study which included patients (pts) who were participating in a centre-based CR program and accepted to participate in a CR-HB after the centre-based CR program closure due to COVID-19. The CR-HB consisted in a multidisciplinary digital CR program, including: 1.patient clinical and exercise risk assessment; 2.psychological tele-appointments; 3. online exercise training sessions; 4.structured online educational program for patients and family members/caregivers; 5. follow-up questionnaires; 6. nutrition tele-appointments; 7. physician tele-appointments Adherence to the program was assessed by drop-out rate; number of exercise sessions in which each patient participated; number of educational sessions attended and a validated questionnaire on therapeutic adherence (composed of 7 questions with minimum punctuation of 7 and maximum of 40 points). Results 116 cardiovascular disease (CVD) pts (62.6 ± 8.9 years, 95 males) who were attending a Centre-based CR program were included in a CR-HB program. Almost 90% (n = 103) of the participants had coronary artery disease; 13.8% pts had heart failure; the mean LVEF was 52 ± 11%. Regarding risk factors, obesity was the most common risk factor (74.7 %) followed by hypertension (59.6%), family history (41.8%), dyslipidaemia (37.9%), diabetes (18.1%), and smoking (12.9%). Ninety-eight pts (85.5%) successfully completed the program. Almost half (46.9%) of the participants did at least one online exercise training session per week. Among the pts who did online exercise training sessions, 58% did 2-3 times per week, 27% once per week and 15% more than 4 times per week. The pts participated, on average, in 1.45 ± 2.6 education sessions (rate of participation of 13,2%) and therapeutic adherence was high (39,7 ± 19; min 35-40). Regarding educational status of the pts, 33 pts (45,2%) had a bachelor degree. These pts tended to participate more in exercise sessions (1,7 ± 1,7 vs 1,2 ± 1,4 sessions per week) and in education sessions (2.13 vs 1.6), although this difference was not statistically significant. The therapeutic adherence did not vary with patients’ level of education. Conclusion Our results showed that a high percentage of patients completed the program and almost half were weekly physically active. However, in regard to educational sessions, the degree of participation was much lower. Educational status seemed to correlate with a higher degree of participation and, in the future, patient selection might offer better results in these kinds of programs.

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Cardiac Rehabilitation Based on the Walking Test and Telerehabilitation Improved Cardiorespiratory Fitness in People Diagnosed with Coronary Heart Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052241 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2241

Author(s):

Ladislav Batalik ◽

Vladimir Konecny ◽

Filip Dosbaba ◽

Daniela Vlazna ◽

Kristian Brat

Keyword(s):

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Test Time ◽

Target Heart Rate ◽

Walking Test ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Home Based ◽

Study Participants

This study investigated an alternative home-based cardiac telerehabilitation model in consideration of the recommendations for the COVID-19 quarantine of people diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD). We hypothesized that using a 200 m fast walking test (200 mFWT) and telerehabilitation would create an effective alternative cardiac rehabilitation (CR) intervention that could improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants (n = 19, mean age 60.4 ± 9.6) of the 8-week intervention performed regular physical exercise at the target heart rate zone determined by calculations based on the 200 mFWT results. In our study, the participants were supervised using telerehabilitation. A total of 84% of participants completed the 8-week intervention. No adverse events were reported during telerehabilitation. The study participants noted a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in cardiorespiratory fitness expressed by an 8% reduction in the walking test time (Δ 8.8 ± 5.9 s). Home-based telerehabilitation based on 200 mFWT effectively increased the cardiorespiratory fitness in people with CHD with a low to moderate cardiovascular risk. This was a novel approach in CR during the COVID-19 pandemic. As research in this area is justified, this paper may serve as an alternative method of providing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and as a basis for further upcoming randomized controlled trials.

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How has technology been used to deliver cardiac rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic? An international cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals conducted by the BACPR

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. e046051

Author(s):

Alasdair F O'Doherty ◽

Helen Humphreys ◽

Susan Dawkes ◽

Aynsley Cowie ◽

Sally Hinton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽

Technology Use ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Well Being ◽

Rehabilitation Service ◽

High Risk Patients ◽

Home Based ◽

Risk Patients

ObjectiveTo investigate whether exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation services continued during the COVID-19 pandemic and how technology has been used to deliver home-based cardiac rehabilitation.DesignA mixed methods survey including questions about exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation service provision, programme diversity, patient complexity, technology use, barriers to using technology, and safety.SettingInternational survey of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes.ParticipantsHealthcare professionals working in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes worldwide.Main outcome measuresThe proportion of programmes that continued providing exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and which technologies had been used to deliver home-based cardiac rehabilitation.ResultsThree hundred and thirty eligible responses were received; 89.7% were from the UK. Approximately half (49.3%) of respondents reported that cardiac rehabilitation programmes were suspended due to COVID-19. Of programmes that continued, 25.8% used technology before the COVID-19 pandemic. Programmes typically started using technology within 19 days of COVID-19 becoming a pandemic. 48.8% did not provide cardiac rehabilitation to high-risk patients, telephone was most commonly used to deliver cardiac rehabilitation, and some centres used sophisticated technology such as teleconferencing.ConclusionsThe rapid adoption of technology into standard practice is promising and may improve access to, and participation in, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation beyond COVID-19. However, the exclusion of certain patient groups and programme suspension could worsen clinical symptoms and well-being, and increase hospital admissions. Refinement of current practices, with a focus on improving inclusivity and addressing safety concerns around exercise support to high-risk patients, may be needed.

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Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation - the real barriers of programs at distance

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab061.336 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

J Brito ◽

I Aguiar-Ricardo ◽

P Alves Da Silva ◽

B Valente Da Silva ◽

N Cunha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exercise Training ◽

Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽

Real Time ◽

Training Session ◽

Real Life ◽

Participation Rate ◽

Exercise Session ◽

Exterior Space ◽

Supervised Exercise ◽

Home Based

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Despite the established benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), it remains significantly underutilized. Home-based CR (CR-HB) programs should offer the same core CR components as Centre-based programs (CR-CB) but several aspects need to be adapted, communication and supervision must be improved. Although CR-HB has been successfully deployed and is a valuable alternative to CR-CB, there is less structured experience with these non-uniform programs and further studies are needed to understand which patients (pts) are indicated to this type of program. Purpose To investigate pt-perceived facilitators and barriers to home-based rehabilitation exercise. Methods Prospective cohort study which included pts who were participating in a CR-CB program and accepted to participate in a CR-HB program after CR-CB closure due to COVID-19. The CR-HB consisted in a multidisciplinary digital CR program, including pt risk evaluation and regular assessment, exercise, educational and psychological sessions. The online exercise training sessions consisted of recorded videos and real time online supervised exercise training group sessions. It was recommended to do each session 3 times per week, during 60 min. A pictorial exercise training guidebook was available to all participants including instructions regarding safety, clothing and warm-up, and a detailed illustrated description of each exercise sessions. Also, for questions or difficulties regarding the exercises, an e-mail and telephone was provided. Once a month, real time CR exercise sessions was provided with a duration of 60min. Results 116 cardiovascular disease pts (62.6 ± 8.9years, 95 males) who were attending a face-to-face CR program were included in a CR-HB program. The majority of the pts had coronary artery disease (89%) and 5% valvular disease. Regarding risk factors, obesity was the most common (75%) followed by hypertension (60%), family history (42%), dyslipidaemia (38%), diabetes (18%), and smoking (13%). Almost half (47%) of the participants did at least one online exercise training session per week: 58% did 2-3 times per week, 27% once per week and 15% more than 4 times per week. Participants who did less than one exercise session per week reported as cause: lack of motivation (38%), preference of a different mode of exercise training such as exercise in the exterior space (26%), technology barrier such as impossibility to stream online videos (11%), fear of performing exercise without supervision (4%), and limited space at home (4%). Conclusions Our study based on real-life results of a CR-HB program shows a sub-optimal rate of participation in exercise sessions due to different causes, but mainly for the lack of motivation to exercise alone or preference for walking in exterior space. The knowledge of the CR-HB program barriers will facilitate to find out strategies to increase the participation rate and to select the best candidates for this type of programs.

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