Cardiac Rehabilitation Availability and Delivery in Canada: How Does It Compare With Other High-Income Countries?

Barriers and Facilitators of Center-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Utilization in South Asian Ethnic Minorities: A META-SYNTHESIS

AIM

The aim of this review was to synthesize literature on the perceptions of South Asian ethnic minorities of the barriers and facilitators to center-based, phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

METHODS

A meta-synthesis approach was used, and findings were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted from database inception dates to July 2022 using the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, APA PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were studies that examined the barriers and/or facilitators of structured center-based CR among South Asian adult ethnic minorities. Critical appraisal of the included studies was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were synthesized using a thematic synthesis approach.

RESULTS

Among the 7110 records initially retrieved only nine studies conducted in the United Kingdom or Canada met the inclusion criteria. More barriers than facilitators were studied and reported. Key barriers were the English language difficulty, fatalistic beliefs, previous bad interactions with and negative perception of health care professionals, transportation problems, work schedule conflict, safety issues, and long-distance CR centers. The facilitators included patient-preferred environment, presence of family members during exercise, family and friends support, and encouragement to change lifestyle and enroll in a CR program.

CONCLUSION

The review findings revealed that South Asian ethnic minorities encounter various barriers and facilitators to enroll and complete CR. The findings can inform researchers and clinicians in the development of interventions that are tailored to their cultural needs.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The findings can be valuable to health care professionals and policy makers in designing customized CR programs for South Asian minorities.

Cardio-oncology and Cancer Rehabilitation: Is an Integrated Approach Possible?

With significant improvements in the understanding of cancer biology, improved detection, and the use of novel adjuvant therapies, each year more Canadians are surviving a cancer diagnosis. Despite their effectiveness these therapies often result in short- and long-term deleterious effects to major organ systems, particularly cardiovascular. Cardio-oncology is an emerging field of study with the aim to improve cardiovascular health across the oncology disease spectrum. International guidelines distinguish "cardio-oncology" rehabilitation from "cancer" rehabilitation, but how this is navigated is currently unknown. How such care should be assessed and integrated acutely or in the longer term remains unknown. Accordingly, the aim of this article is to consider the cancer patient's needs beyond the scope of cardio-oncology rehabilitation to holistically integrate cancer rehabilitation across the disease trajectory.

Sex differences in cardiac rehabilitation barriers among non-enrollees in the context of lower gender equality: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Despite the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), it remains under-utilized, particularly by women. This study compared CR barriers between non-enrolling men and women in Iran, which has among the lowest gender equality globally.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, CR barriers were assessed via phone interview in phase II non-attenders from March 2017 to February 2018 with the Persian version of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-P). T-tests were used to compare scores, with each of 18 barriers scored out of 5, between men and women.

RESULTS

357 (33.9%) of the sample of 1053 were women, and they were older, less educated and less often employed than men. Total mean CRBS scores were significantly greater in women (2.37 ± 0.37) than men (2.29 ± 0.35; effect size[ES] = 0.08, confidence interval[CI]: 0.03-0.13; p < 0.001). The top CR barriers among women were cost (3.35; ES = 0.40, CI:0.23-0.56; P < 0.001), transportation problems (3.24; ES = 0.41, CI:0.25-0.58; P < 0.001), distance (3.21; ES = 0.31, CI:0.15-0.48; P < 0.001), comorbidities (2.97; ES = 0.49, CI:0.34-0.64; P < 0.001), low energy (2.41; ES = 0.29, CI:0.18-0.41; P < 0.001), finding exercise as tiring or painful (2.22; ES = 0.11, CI:0.02-0.21; P = 0.018), and older age (2.27; ES = 0.18, CI:0.07-0.28; P = 0.001). Men rated "already exercise at home or in community" (2.69; ES = 0.23, CI:0.1-0.36; P = 0.001), time constraints (2.18; ES = 0.15, CI:0.07-0.23; P < 0.001) and work responsibilities (2.24; ES = 0.16, CI:0.07-0.25; P = 0.001) as greater CR barriers than women.

CONCLUSION

Women had greater barriers to CR participation than men. CR programs should be modified to address women's needs. Home-based CR tailored to women's exercise needs and preferences should be considered.

Evaluation of the Structure and Health Impacts of Exercise-Based Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Prehabilitation for Individuals With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation programming similar to that used in the existing models of cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation or prehabilitation is a holistic potential solution to address the range of physical, psychological, and existential (e.g., as their diagnosis relates to potential death) stressors associated with a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the structure and format of any type of exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation programs used in individuals with cancer and the evidence base for their real-world effectiveness on metrics of physical (e.g., cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure) and psychological (e.g., health-related quality of life) health. Very few of the 33 included exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation programs employed intervention components, education topics, and program support staff that were multi-disciplinary or cancer-specific. In particular, a greater emphasis on nutrition care, and the evaluation and management of psychosocial distress and CVD risk factors, with cancer-specific adaptations, would broaden and maximize the holistic health benefits of exercise-based rehabilitation. Despite these opportunities for improvement, exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation programs utilized under real-world settings in individuals with cancer produced clinically meaningful and large effect sizes for cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, ±2.9 mL/kg/min, 95% CI = 2.6 to 3.3) and 6-minute walk distance (+47 meters, 95% CI = 23 to 71), and medium effect sizes for various measures of cancer-specific, health-related quality of life. However, there were no changes to blood pressure, body mass index, or lung function. Overall, these findings suggest that exercise-based, multimodal rehabilitation is a real-world therapy that improves physical and psychological health among individuals with cancer, but the holistic health benefits of this intervention would likely be enhanced by addressing nutrition, psychosocial concerns, and risk factor management through education and counselling with consideration of the needs of an individual with cancer.

Factors Associated With Non-enrollment of Center-Based Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program Among Transient Ischemic Attack or Mild Stroke Patients: A MIXED-METHOD RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

PURPOSE

Cardiovascular rehabilitation programs (CRPs) are effective in secondary stroke prevention, yet the enrollment rate is suboptimal. This study aims to identify demographic and clinical factors and patient-reported reasons for non-enrollment in a center-based outpatient CRP among patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke.

METHODS

This mixed-method retrospective chart review was conducted in an outpatient CRP affiliated with a tertiary care hospital in Canada from January 2009 to October 2017. A total of 621 patients with TIA or mild stroke were included. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between demographic and clinical predictors with non-enrollment. A thematic analysis of multidisciplinary progress notes was done for the non-enrollment subgroup of patients to understand the patient-reported reasons.

RESULTS

The non-enrollment rate was 42%. Travel distance to CRP (OR = 1.024; 95% CI, 1.010-1.038), age (OR = 1.023; 95% CI, 1.004-1.042), and current smoking status (OR = 1.935; 95% CI, 1.230-3.042) were associated with non-enrollment. The patient-reported reasons for non-enrollment were occurrence of new medical events and comorbidities, their perceptions of health and CRP, transportation, work/time conflict, and distance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that patients with TIA or mild stroke who were older, lived farther from the CRP center, or were current smokers were less likely to enroll in a CRP. The present findings may help clinicians identify patients unlikely to enroll in a CRP and allow the implementation of interventions focused on health education and physical activity to improve enrollment. Future research should validate these factors in multiple settings using prospective mixed methods so that interventions can be developed to address non-enrollment in the CRP.

Inclusion of People Poststroke in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in Canada: A Missed Opportunity for Referral

BACKGROUND

Evidence supports establishing a continuum of care from stroke rehabilitation (SR) to cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs). It is not known to what extent people poststroke are being integrated. This study aimed to determine the proportion of CRPs that accept referrals poststroke, barriers/facilitators, and eligibility criteria.

METHODS

A web-based questionnaire was sent to CRPs across Canada.

RESULTS

Of 160 questionnaires sent, 114 representatives (71%) of 130 CRPs responded. Of respondents, 65% (n = 74) reported accepting people with a diagnosis of stroke and doing so for a median of 11 years, 11 offering stroke-specific classes and an additional 6 planning inclusion. However, 62.5% of CRPs reported that < 11 patients participated in the last calendar year despite 88.5% reporting no limit to the number they could enroll. Among CRPs, 25% accepted only patients with concurrent cardiac diagnoses, living in the community (47.8%), and without severe mobility (70.1%), communication (80.6%), or cognitive (85.1%) deficits. The 2 most influential barriers and facilitators among all CRPs were funding and staffing. The fourth greatest barrier was lack of poststroke referrals, and third to sixth facilitators were SR/CRP collaboration to ensure appropriate referrals (third) and to increase referrals (sixth), toolkits for prescribing resistance (fourth), and aerobic training (fifth). CRP characteristics associated with accepting stroke were a hybrid program model, a medium program size, and having a falls prevention component.

CONCLUSIONS

Most CRPs accept patients poststroke, but few participate. Therefore, establishing SR/CRP partnerships to increase appropriate referrals, using a toolkit to help operationalize exercise components, and allocating funding/resources to CRPs may significantly increase access to secondary prevention strategies.

Evaluation of Cardiac Rehabilitation Performance and Initial Benchmarks for Australia: An Observational Cross-State and Territory Snapshot Study

BACKGROUND

Australia, unlike most high-income countries, does not have published benchmarks for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) delivery. This study provides cross-state data on CR delivery for initial benchmarks and assesses performance against international minimal standards.

METHODS

A prospective observational study March-May 2017 of CR programs in NSW (n=36), Tasmania (n=2) and ACT (n=1) was undertaken. Data were collected on 11 indicators (published dictionary), then classified as higher or lower performing using the UK National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation (NACR) criteria. Equity of access to higher performing CR was assessed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Participants (n=2,436) had a mean age of 66.06±12.54 years, 68.9% were male, 16.2% culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and 2.6% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At patient level, waiting time was median 15 (Interquartile range [IQR] 9-25) days, 24.3% had an assessment before starting, 41.8% on completion, a median 12 sessions (IQR 6-16) were delivered, which 59.1% completed and 75.4% were linked to ongoing care. At program level, using NACR criteria, 18.0% were classified as higher performing and ≥87.1% met waiting time criteria, however, only 20.5% met duration criteria. Evidence of inequitable access to higher performing programs was present with substantially higher odds for participants living in major cities (OR 28.11 95%CI 18.41, 44.92) and with every decade younger age (OR 1.89-2.94) and lower odds by 89.0% for principal referral hospital-based services (OR 0.11 95%CI 0.08, 0.14) and 31.0% for people having a CALD background (OR 0.69 95%CI 0.49, 0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides initial national CR performance benchmarks for quality improvement in Australia. While wait times are minimised, few programs are higher performing or met minimum duration standards. There is an urgent need to resource and support CR quality and access outside of major cities, in principal referral hospitals and for older and diverse patients.

Long-term Enrollment in Cardiac Rehabilitation Benefits Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Skeletal Muscle Strength in Men With Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND

Despite known associations between fitness and recurrent cardiovascular events, changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strength with long-term cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have not been extensively examined. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine changes in CRF and muscle strength associated with long-term CR program enrollment in men, and (2) compare these changes to previously published rates of decline (2.0% per year for CRF and 2.36% per year for muscle strength in healthy age-matched individuals).

METHODS

Data were extracted from the program charts of 160 men (64 ± 9 years) who were enrolled ≥ 1 year in a maintenance-phase CR program and who completed ≥ 2 exercise tests. CRF was represented by peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak, mL/min/kg). The skeletal muscle strength was assessed using 1-repetition maximum tests for chest press, seated row, and knee extension. Mixed model analyses with polynomial functions were used to determine changes in CRF (up to 5.5 years) and muscle strength (up to 10 years).

RESULTS

CRF increased nonlinearly up to 3 years (range, 0.33%-3.23% per year) and then declined nonlinearly to the 5.5-year endpoint (range, 1.03%-2.59% per year). Chest press and seated row strength declined at < 1% per year over 10 years, whereas knee extension increased nonlinearly by 0.18%-1.40% per year from baseline until 4 years and then declined nonlinearly at 1.00%-3.58% per year until the 10-year endpoint. All declines were similar to literature rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that significant health benefits are associated with maintenance-phase CR programs for men. Enrollment was associated with preserved CRF and lower body muscle strength for 3-4 years.

Importance of Completing Hybrid Cardiac Rehabilitation for Long-Term Outcomes: A Real-World Evaluation

Community-based hybrid cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs offer a viable alternative to conventional centre-based CR, however their long-term benefits are unknown. We conducted a secondary analysis of the CR Participation Study conducted in London, Ontario, between 2003 and 2006. CR eligible patients hospitalized for a major cardiac event, who resided within 60 min, were referred to a hybrid CR program; 381 of 544 (64%) referred patients initiated CR; an additional 1,498 CR eligible patients were not referred due to distance. For the present study, CR participants were matched using propensity scores to CR eligible non-participants who resided beyond 60 min, yielding 214 matched pairs. Subjects were followed for a mean (standard deviation, SD) of 8.56 (3.38) years for the outcomes of mortality or re-hospitalization for a major cardiac event. Hybrid CR participation was associated with a non-significant 16% lower event rate (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.59⁻1.17). When restricting to pairs where CR participants achieved a greater than 0.5 metabolic equivalent exercise capacity increase (123 pairs), CR completion was associated with a 51% lower event rate (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.29⁻0.81). Successful completion of a community-based hybrid CR program may be associated with decreased long-term mortality or recurrent cardiac events.