Influence of dietitian presence on outpatient cardiac rehabilitation nutrition services

Time-Restricted Eating: A Novel Dietary Strategy for Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multimodal program considered to be the standard of care for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The primary goals of CR are managing CVD risk factors and improving quality of life. Exercise is the cornerstone, but nutrition education delivered by registered dietitians (RDs) is a core component of CR. Yet patient constraints to adherence to dietary change and limited availability of RDs represent major barriers to the success of completion of nutrition intervention during CR. Therefore, nutritional strategies that reduce CVD risk factors, barriers to adherence, and have capacity for broad dissemination are warranted within CR programs. In this review, we propose time-restricted eating (TRE) as a nutrition strategy to improve the outcomes of CR by drawing on parallels to CVD in other populations and describe the available preliminary data on the efficacy of TRE for CVD. TRE is a dietary strategy that involves alternating periods of fasting and consumption of calories each day. We outline the feasibility, safety, and beneficial cardiometabolic impact of TRE from TRE research in other populations. We also discuss the potential for synergistic benefits of exercise when combined with TRE. Although there is currently limited research on TRE within CR programs, we highlight CR as a unique clinical setting where TRE could play a role in secondary prevention of CVD. Overall, we outline the potential of TRE as a promising nutrition strategy to enhance the benefits of CR.

Effectiveness and reporting of nutrition interventions in cardiac rehabilitation programmes: a systematic review

AIMS

Dietary modification is essential for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, there are limited published evidence syntheses to guide practice in the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) setting. This systematic review's objective was to assess effectiveness and reporting of nutrition interventions to optimize dietary intake in adults attending CR.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of nutrition interventions within CR were eligible for inclusion and had to have measured change in dietary intake. MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library were searched from 2000 to June 2020, limited to publications in English. Evidence from included RCTs was synthesized descriptively. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. This review is registered on PROSPERO; CRD42020188723. Of 13 048 unique articles identified, 11 were eligible. Randomized controlled trials were conducted in 10 different countries, included 1542 participants, and evaluated 29 distinct dietary intake outcomes. Five studies reported statistically significant changes in diet across 13 outcomes. Most nutrition interventions were not reported in a manner that allowed replication in clinical practice or future research.

CONCLUSION

There is a gap in research testing high-quality nutrition interventions in CR settings. Findings should be interpreted in the light of limitations, given the overall body of evidence was heterogenous across outcomes and study quality; 6 of 11 studies were conducted more than 10 years old. Future research should investigate strategies to optimize and maintain nutrition improvements for patients attending CR.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO; CRD42020188723.

Current Nutrition Practice in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs

PURPOSE

This study sought to determine current practice regarding nutrition care within cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs, including perceived barriers and facilitators to providing nutrition care in this setting.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October and November 2019. Potential participants were program coordinators, identified through the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association program directory and invited to participate via e-mail.

RESULTS

Forty-nine respondents (response rate: 13%) are included in this analysis. Programs provided group (n = 42, 86%) and/or individual (n = 25, 51%) nutrition education, and most were supported by a dietitian (63%). However, the availability of dietitians and nutrition care provided at CR was variable. For example, individual education was consistently provided at 13 programs and usually by health professionals other than dietitians. Eight programs (16%) used a formal behavior change framework for nutrition care. Generally, respondents were positive about the role of nutrition; CR coordinators perceived nutrition as a valuable component of the program, and that they had good nutrition knowledge. An identified barrier was the financial resources available to support the provision of nutrition care.

CONCLUSIONS

To ensure that patients receive the benefits of evidence-based nutrition care, program staff may require additional support, particularly regarding the use of evidence-based behavior change techniques. Key facilitators that may be leveraged to achieve this include the high value and priority that CR program coordinators place on nutrition care.

Nutrition Intervention in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE

OBJECTIVE

Despite guideline consensus that quality of nutrition affects most modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors, the implementation of dietary interventions varies considerably in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. The purpose of this review is to highlight the current existing literature and provide recommendations on best practices for nutrition interventions and future research that support secondary prevention outcomes.

REVIEW METHODS

The review examines original investigations, systematic reviews, and guidelines regarding nutrition intervention in CR.

SUMMARY

Nutrition intervention in CR plays an integral role in the success of patients; however, the literature is limited and standardization of practice is in its infancy. The role of a qualified registered dietician nutritionist, standardization of dietary assessments, individualized and intensive nutrition interventions, and application of specific behavior change techniques are central components in improving diet in CR. This review provides an overview of the evidence-based cardioprotective diets, nutritional interventions and behavioral strategies in CR, and explores areas for best practices and opportunities for innovation in the delivery of nutrition intervention in CR.

Barriers and facilitators to participant adherence of dietary recommendations within comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programmes: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To identify individual-, provider- and system/environmental-level barriers and facilitators affecting cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants' adherence to dietary recommendations.

DESIGN

A systematic review of the medical literature was conducted. Six databases were searched from inception through March 2021: APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, Medline and PubMed. Only those studies referring to barriers and facilitators reported by CR participants were considered. Pilot and case report studies, non-peer-reviewed literature and studies published in a language other than English, Portuguese or Spanish were excluded.

RESULTS

Data were extracted and analysed on the basis of individual-, provider- and system/environmental-level factors. Of 2083 initial citations, sixteen studies were included, with nine being qualitative and seven observational in design. From these, ten multi-level barriers and seven multi-level facilitators were identified. Dietary recommendations included developing healthy eating habits, transitioning to vegetarian-rich diets and increasing fish oil and n-3 intake. Only one study reported on all of the nutrition education programme factors recommended by the Workgroup for Intervention Development and Evaluation Research.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this review is the first to summarise specific barriers and facilitators to recommendation adherence among CR participants. Few of the studies offered any conclusions regarding programme design that could facilitate improved dietary adherence practices. Future studies should aim to explore patient perspectives on the nutritional patterns and recommendations outlined in the Mediterranean Diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet, Vegetarian or Vegan diets and the Portfolio Diet.

Uptake of Dietary Sodium Restriction by Overweight and Obese Patients After Cardiac Revascularization

PURPOSE

High sodium intake increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac patients are recommended a daily sodium restriction of ≤1,500 mg. The purpose of this article is to describe daily sodium intake and sodium restriction adherence and its correlates in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program participants following cardiac revascularizations.

DESIGN

This is a descriptive correlational study.

METHODS

A subanalysis was performed using the data collected from a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of a 12-week weight management intervention.

FINDINGS

The average daily sodium intake was 3,020 mg ± 1,134 at baseline, 4,047 mg ±1,517 at 4 months, and 4,399 mg ± 1,722 at 6 months. The adherence rates were 4.8% at baseline and zero at 4 and 6 months. The factors influencing daily sodium intake were identified.

CONCLUSION

The CR program participants failed to adhere to the sodium restriction guidelines.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Rehabilitation nurses need to identify effective strategies to educate CR participants and their family members regarding dietary sodium adherence in CR participants.

Dietitian Services Are Associated with Improved Patient Outcomes and the MEDFICTS Dietary Assessment Questionnaire Is a Suitable Outcome Measure in Cardiac Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the effectiveness of registered dietitian (RD) education and counseling on diet-related patient outcomes compared with general education provided by the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) staff, and (b) evaluate the effectiveness of the Meats, Eggs, Dairy, Fried foods, In baked goods, Convenience foods, Table fats, Snacks (MEDFICTS) score as an outcome measure in CR.

METHODS

Observational study data examined from 426 CR patients discharged between January 1996 and February 2004. Groups were formed based on education source: (a) RD and (b) general education from CR staff. Baseline characteristics were compared between groups; pre/post diet-related outcomes (lipids, waist circumference, body mass index, MEDFICTS score) were compared within groups. Controlling for baseline measures and lipid-lowering medication, associations were examined between (a) RD education and diet-related outcomes and (b) ending MEDFICTS score and diet-related outcomes.

RESULTS

Mean age was 62+/-11 years, 30% of patients were female, and 28% were nonwhite. At baseline, the RD group (n=359) had more dyslipidemia (88% vs 76%), more obesity (47% vs 27%), a larger waist (40+/-6 vs 37+/-5 inches), a higher body mass index (calculated as kg/m(2); 30+/-6 vs 27+/-5), a higher diet score (32+/-28 vs 19+/-19), and lower self-reported physical activity (7+/-12 vs 13+/-18 metabolic equivalent hours) (all P<.05) than the general education group (n=67). RD education was associated with improved low-density lipoprotein (r=0.13; P=.04), triglycerides (r=0.48; P=.01), and MEDFICTS score (r=0.18; P=.01). Improvements in MEDFICTS scores were correlated with improved total cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist measurements (all r=0.19; P=.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary education by an RD is associated with improved diet-related outcomes. The MEDFICTS score is a suitable outcome measure in CR.