Effects of Supervised Cardiac Rehabilitation Programmes on Quality of Life among Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Traditionally, cardiac rehabilitation programmes are offered after cardiac events to aid recovery, improve quality of life, and reduce adverse events. The objective of this review was to assess the health-related quality of life, after a supervised cardiac rehabilitation programme, of patients who suffered a myocardial infarction. A systematic review was carried out in the CINAHL, Cochrane, LILACS, Medline, Scopus, and SciELO databases, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Randomised controlled trials were selected. Meta-analyses were performed for the Short Form Health Survey SF-36, Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale (MIDAS), MacNew Heart Disease-Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) questionnaire, and European Quality of Life-Visual Analogue Scale (EuroQol-VAS) with the software Cochrane RevMan Web. Ten articles were found covering a total of 3577 patients. In the meta-analysis, the effect size of the cardiac rehabilitation programme was statistically significant in the intervention group for physical activity, emotional reaction, and dependency dimensions of the MIDAS questionnaire. For the control group, the score improved for SF-36 physical functioning, and body pain dimensions. The mean difference between the control and intervention group was not significant for the remaining dimensions, and neither for the MacNew Heart Disease-HRQL and EuroQol-VAS questionnaires. Supervised cardiac rehabilitation programmes were effective in improving health-related quality of life, however, there was a potential variability in the interventions; therefore, the results should be interpreted with caution. This study supports the importance of providing care and evaluating interventions via the supervision of trained health professionals, and further randomised clinical trials are needed to analyse the positive changes in mental and physical health outcomes.

A co-designed telehealth-based model of care to improve attendance and completion to cardiac rehabilitation of rural and remote Australians: The Country Heart Attack Prevention (CHAP) project

We aim to report the co-design of the implementation strategy of a telehealth-enabled cardiac rehabilitation model of care in rural and remote areas of Australia. The goal of this model of care is to increase cardiac rehabilitation attendance and completion by country patients with cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesise that a model of care co-designed with stakeholders will address patients’ needs and preferences and increase participation. We applied the Model for Large Scale Knowledge Translation and engaged with patients, clinicians and health service managers across six local health networks in rural South Australia. They informed the design of a web-based cardiac rehabilitation programme and the delivery of the expanded telehealth service. The stakeholders defined face-to-face, telephone, web-based or combinations as choices of mode of delivery to patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation. A case-managed programme supported by a web portal with an interface for patients and clinicians was considered more appropriate to the local context than a self-managed programme. A business model was developed to enable the sustainability of cardiac rehabilitation clinical assessments through primary care. The impact of the model of care on cardiac rehabilitation attendance/completion, clinical outcomes, patient-reported outcomes and patient-reported experiences and cost-effectiveness will be tested in a 12-month follow-up study.

Early results on the efficacy and acceptability of a cardiac rehabilitation programme that transitioned to a fully virtual platform with adoption of wearable technology for covid era

Background/Introduction Cardiaovascular prevention/rehabilitation programmes continue to reduce cardiovascular mortality even with contemporary treatment. During covid the majority of face-to-face programmes were suspended but these services have never been more crucial as control of cardiovascular risk factors can mitigate the morbidity/mortality risk from covid. Programmes must now however be delivered in a way that reduces patient exposure. Here we describe how we rapidly transitioned our previously fully face to face cardiovascular prevention/programme to a completely virtual platform adopting Fitbit as wearable technology. Methods The previously face-to-face initial assessment (IA) conducted by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) – nurse, dietician and physiotherapist is now delivered via video/phone as per patient preference. Patients are provided with equipment kits (tape measures, blood pressure monitors (BP), Fitbit smartwatches and Fibricheck app as required. The virtual IA includes assessment of: Smoking habit, blood pressure (BP), heart rate, lipid profile and HbA1c (taken in community phlebotomy hub), cardioprotective medications, weight, BMI, waist circumference, Mediterranean Diet Score, functional capacity via the Duke Activity Status Index, habitual activity levels, risk stratification for exercise, hospital anxiety and depression scores (HADS) and quality of life (QOL). Patients receive education and tailored advice with SMART goals as well as a written care plan. The subsequent 12 programme is comprised of Results Between April and November 2020 n=262 had a virtual IA (94% of those offered and n=114 (95% of those offered) attended an end of programme assessment. 64% were male and the mean age was 64.1 years. Acceptance of the Fitbit device was 72% of those offered. Table 1 below shows the main clinical and patient-reported outcomes in those attending both an IA and EOP with the data for the same 6 months the year prior (face to face programme) also for comparison. Programme satisfaction ratings were high with 85% rating the programme as excellent or very good. Conclusions Transitioning a previously fully face to face cardiac rehabilitation programme to a wholly virtual platform was feasible and acceptable to patients. Early data analysis would suggest that the virtual programme achieves similar clinical and patient reported outcomes. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Funded under Transformation Funding Programme, Department of Health, Northern Ireland Table 1

Modification of the Forms of Self-Determined Regulation and Quality of Life after a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme: Tennis-Based vs. Bicycle Ergometer-Based

Background: The objective is to analyse and compare the effects of an adapted tennis cardiac rehabilitation programme and a classical bicycle ergometer-based programme on the type of motivation towards sports practice and quality of life in patients classified as low risk after suffering acute coronary syndrome. Methods: The Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) and Velasco’s Qualityof Life Test were applied. The sample comprised 110 individuals (age = 55.05 ± 9.27) divided into two experimental groups (tennis and bicycle ergometer) and a control group. Results: The intra-group analysis showed a significant increase between pre- and post-test results in intrinsic regulation in the tennis group and in the control group. In identified regulation, the bicycle ergometer group presented significant differences from the control group. On the other hand, in the external regulation variable, only the tennis group showed significant differences, which decreased. Significant improvements in all quality-of-life factors when comparing the pre-test period with the post-test period were only found in the experimental groups. As per the inter-group analysis, significant differences were observed in favour of the tennis group with respect to the control group in the variables of health, social relations and leisure, and work time as well as in favour of the bicycle ergometer group compared with the control group in the variables of health, sleep and rest, future projects and mobility. No significant differences were found in any of the variables between the tennis group and the bicycle ergometer group. Conclusion: It is relevant to enhance the practice of physical exercise in infarcted patients classified as low risk as it improves the forms of more self-determined regulation towards sporting practice and their quality of life.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a phase three specialised heart failure cardiac rehabilitation programme on cardiovascular risk factor profile

Background/Aims Cardiac rehabilitation has long been seen as effective for many cardiovascular diseases and, more recently, as having a positive impact on patients with heart failure. To evaluative the effectiveness of a phase three specialised heart failure cardiac rehabilitation programme on patients' cardiovascular risk factor profile. Methods This retrospective, longitudinal study examined profile factors of patients, pre- and post-cardiac rehabilitation programme. Patients with New York Heart Association class I–III, of any origin, were recruited through a specialised heart failure service to a 10-week exercise and education programme. Outcome variables included anxiety, depression, quality of life (Minnesota), 6-minute walking test result, blood pressure, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, Duke Activity Status Index and self-care, and were analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences using repeated measures t-test. Results 100 patients were eligible and 85 patients completed the programmes. Mean age was 66 years, 80% male, 59% were New York Heart Association class I and 73% had ejection fraction of ≤40%. There was a significant improvement in 6-minute walking test, systolic blood pressure, quality of life and anxiety post programme. Conclusions In-hospital and out of hospital cardiac care has developed significantly, especially in acute symptom control. More recently, emphasis has been put on the long-term control of other risk factors. This study contributes to the literature indicating that attendance at a hospital-based phase three cardiac rehabilitation programme providing supervised, tailored exercise, with intensive education and psychological support, is effective in reducing risk factors and improving quality of life in patients with lower grades of heart failure.

Predictive factors of erectile dysfunction in a cardiac rehabilitation programme. What can we improve?

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent comorbidity in patients with chronic coronary syndrome; it is related to both cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), the treatments administered and the vascular disease itself. We analyse the predictors of ED in the cardiac rehabilitation unit of a third level hospital. Material and methods Observational and prospective cohort of male patients participating in the cardiac rehabilitation programme (CRP) between 2015 and 2019. This CRP lasts 1 month, with 3 weekly sessions of monitored and supervised exercise, in addition to talks related on the cardiovascular area, diet, etc. One of these sessions is on ED, in which the patient is asked about the entity, possible interactions with drugs, etc. In addition, the degree of ED is evaluated anonymously using the IIEF5 scale, in which 5 questions are used to evaluate different conditions of the disease by scoring from 1 to 5, with values of less than 21 being considered as ED. For the statistical analysis we carried out a multiple regression model adjusted by the clinical variables collected at the beginning of the programme. Results Out of a total of 343 patients 90% were male and 265 completed the questionnaire. 63% presented ED. The mean age is 56 ± 9 years. The distribution of CVRF: 43% hypertense, 23% diabetics, 72% dyslipemia, 22% ex and 48% smokers. As for the diagnoses prior to the start of CRP, 59% suffered from STEMI, 22% from NSTEMI, 9% from unstable angina and 9% were post-operative from cardiac surgery. In the global multiple regression model the factors predisposing to ED and presenting statistically significant coefficients were age (-0.2 CI: -0.27- -0.12, p < 0.001), hypertension (-1.6; CI -2.9- -0.3, p = 0.014) and diabetes (-2.0 CI: -3.1- -0.6, p = 0.007). We performed a predictive model for the different age ranges according to the presence/absence of hypertension and diabetes (Figure 1). Conclusions ED is a prevalent entity in our series, with age-adjusted multivariate analysis predicting its development and hypertension and diabetes as potentially modifiable factors related to it. Abstract Figure. Graph 1: Predictive regression model

Delivering a dietetic intervention to cardiovascular patients in the Covid era

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Department of Health Introduction Healthy diet and body composition are core components of cardiac rehabilitation. Following the COVID outbreak in March 2020, our face-to-face cardiac rehabilitation programme (Our Hearts Our Minds) was suspended. The programme was then quickly moved to a virtual platform to continue to deliver the programme. Purpose Here we describe how the OHOM programme adapted our service to deliver the dietetic assessment and intervention on a virtual platform. Methods Pre-Covid the dietary component of OHOM consisted of a face-to-face Initial Assessment (IA) with a dietitian, group education sessions and an End of Programme assessment (EOP). Anthropometric measures and dietary habits were assessed including adherence to the Mediterranean diet via the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) toolkit. Using behaviour change techniques, tailored dietary advice was provided and goals agreed to educate on healthier food choices, increase adherence to Mediterranean diet and (if appropriate) promote weight loss and reduce central obesity. The assessment and intervention is now delivered virtually via telephone or video. Anthropometrics are self-reported with tape-measures supplied to assess waist circumference and advice provided on home-weighing. MDS is still assessed. The programme includes fortnightly coaching telephone consultations to review and reset goals, the option to attend a dietitian-led virtual group education session, access to a filmed educational video and submission of food diaries via the Fitbit app. Results From April to November 2020, 114 patients completed the virtual programme (65 telephone, 39 video). Dietetic outcomes are outlined in Table 1 with inclusion of data for a similar period one year previously (face-to-face) for comparison. Reductions in anthropometric measures and increased adherence to a cardio-protective diet were noted and the results for the two time periods are remarkably similar. Conclusion Delivery of a virtual dietetic component in cardiac rehabilitation is feasible, acceptable and just as effective as face-to-face based on preliminary data. Table 1: Dietary outcomes at IA and EOP Face-to-face assessments (April - March 2019) Virtual assessments (April - November 2020) IA EOP Change IA EOP Change Mean weight (in those with BMI >25kg/m2) 86.5 85.2 -1.3 91.4 88.6 -2.8 Waist circumference (cm) 104.3 103 -1.3 107 102 -5 Mean MDS (Range 1-14) 4.4 7.5 +3.1 4.8 7.8 +3 % Consuming oily fish once per week 20 57 +37 25 68 +43 Achieving fruit and vegetable target 16 61 +45 21 57 +36 Abstract Figure. Dietitian waist circumference tutorial

A Socially Assistive Robot for Long-Term Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Real World

What are the benefits of using a socially assistive robot for long-term cardiac rehabilitation? To answer this question we designed and conducted a real-world long-term study, in collaboration with medical specialists, at the Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología clinic (Bogotá, Colombia) lasting 2.5 years. The study took place within the context of the outpatient phase of patients' cardiac rehabilitation programme and aimed to compare the patients' progress and adherence in the conventional cardiac rehabilitation programme (control condition) against rehabilitation supported by a fully autonomous socially assistive robot which continuously monitored the patients during exercise to provide immediate feedback and motivation based on sensory measures (robot condition). The explicit aim of the social robot is to improve patient motivation and increase adherence to the programme to ensure a complete recovery. We recruited 15 patients per condition. The cardiac rehabilitation programme was designed to last 36 sessions (18 weeks) per patient. The findings suggest that robot increases adherence (by 13.3%) and leads to faster completion of the programme. In addition, the patients assisted by the robot had more rapid improvement in their recovery heart rate, better physical activity performance and a higher improvement in cardiovascular functioning, which indicate a successful cardiac rehabilitation programme performance. Moreover, the medical staff and the patients acknowledged that the robot improved the patient motivation and adherence to the programme, supporting its potential in addressing the major challenges in rehabilitation programmes.