Increasing Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation From 20% to 70%: A Road Map From the Million Hearts Cardiac Rehabilitation Collaborative

Dietary Counseling Documentation Among Patients Recently Hospitalized for Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND

Diet intervention forms the cornerstone for cardiovascular disease (CVD) management.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to measure the frequency of dietary counseling documentation for patients recently hospitalized with CVD.

DESIGN

This was an observational study.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Patients were included from the Michigan Value Collaborative Multipayer Claims Registry from October 2015 to February 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The study measured the frequency of medical claims that document dietary counseling ≤90 days after hospitalization (ie, an episode of care) for CVD events (coronary artery bypass grafting, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and percutaneous coronary intervention). Dietary counseling documentation was defined as having an encounter-level International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision code for dietary counseling or current procedural terminology code for medical nutrition therapy or cardiac rehabilitation.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure variation in documentation across gender, age, comorbidities, hospital geography, CVD event, and insurer.

RESULTS

There were 175,631 episodes of care (congesitve heart failure 47.1%, acute myocardial infarction 28.7%, percutaneous coronary intervention 17.0%, and coronary artery bypass grafting 7.3%) among 146,185 individuals. Most episodes occurred among men (55.8%) and those older than age 65 years (71.9%). Dietary counseling was documented for 22.8% of episodes and was more common as cardiac rehabilitation (18.6%) than other encounter types (5.1%). In multivariable analysis, there was lower odds for dietary counseling documentation among those older than age 65 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.77; P < .001), women (OR 0.83; P < .001), with chronic kidney disease (OR 0.74; P < .001), or diabetes (OR 0.95; P < .001), but greater odds for those with obesity (OR 1.28; P < .001) and nonmetropolitan hospitals (OR 1.31; P < .001). Compared with coronary artery bypass grafting, acute myocardial infarction (OR 0.29; P < .001), confestive heart failure (OR 0.12; P < .001), and percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 0.36; P < .001) episodes had lower odds to have dietary counseling coded. Compared with Traditional Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage health maintenance organization plans had lower odds, whereas Commercial or Medicare Advantage preferred provider organization and Commercial health maintenance organization plans had higher odds to have dietary counseling documented. Results were mostly similar when evaluated by race.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary counseling was infrequently documented after hospitalization for CVD episodes in medical claims in a Michigan-based multipayer claims database with large variation by reason for hospitalization and patient factors.

Is YouTube a Sufficient and Reliable Source to Inform Patients About Cardiac Rehabilitation?: A Cross-sectional Study

PURPOSE

There is a growing concern surrounding the utility of medical content on social media. In this study, the popularity metrics and content quality of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) videos on YouTube regarding patient education were examined.

METHODS

Using the search key word "cardiac rehabilitation," we analyzed the 50 most relevant videos. Our video popularity analytics encompassed viewing rate, such as ratio, number of comments, and the video power index (VPI). We assessed content quality using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), the modified DISCERN questionnaire, Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA ) benchmark criteria, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audio/Visual Materials (PEMAT-A/V), and a novel tool, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Specific Scale (CRSS).

RESULTS

Notably, 78% of the videos were uploaded by medical organizations. The average viewing rate was 4.6 views per day. There were positive correlations between the scores from different content quality scales. Median scores for the GQS, the modified DISCERN questionnaire, JAMA benchmark criteria, and the CRSS were 3, 3.5, 2, and 5, respectively. Mean PEMAT-A/V scores were 60.4% for understandability and 38.3% for actionability. Videos published by entities other than medical centers predicted lower CRSS and GQS scores. High JAMA benchmark criteria scores were negative predictors of VPI, view rate, and number of comments.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that CR-related videos on YouTube are characterized by low popularity, average content quality and understandability, but a lack of reliability and actionability. To ensure individuals seek accurate CR information on social media platforms, we recommend directing them to videos uploaded by medical centers.

The iATTEND Trial: A Trial Comparing Hybrid Versus Standard Cardiac Rehabilitation

The improving ATTENDance (iATTEND) to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) trial tested the hypotheses that hybrid CR (HYCR) (combination of virtual and in-facility CR sessions) would result in greater attendance compared with traditional, facility-based only CR (FBCR) and yield equivalent improvements in exercise capacity and health status. Patients were randomized to HYCR (n = 142) or FBCR (n = 140), stratified by gender and race. Attendance was assessed as number of CR sessions completed within 6 months (primary end point) and the percentage of patients completing 36 CR sessions. Other end points (tested for equivalency) included exercise capacity and self-reported health status. HYCR patients completed 1 to 12 sessions in-facility, with the balance completed virtually using synchronized, 2-way audiovisual technology. Neither total number of CR sessions completed within 6 months (29 ± 12 vs 28 ± 12 visits, adjusted p = 0.94) nor percentage of patients completing 36 sessions (59 ± 4% vs 51 ± 4%, adjusted p = 0.32) were significantly different between HYCR and FBCR, respectively. The between-group changes for exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake, 6-minute walk distance) and health status were equivalent. Regarding safety, no sessions required physician involvement, there was 1 major adverse event after a virtual session, and no falls required medical attention. In conclusion, although we rejected our primary hypothesis that attendance would be greater with HYCR versus FBCR, we showed that FBCR and HYCR resulted in similar patient attendance patterns and equivalent improvements in exercise capacity and health status. HYCR which incorporates virtually supervised exercise should be considered an acceptable alternative to FBCR. NCT Identifier: 03646760; The Improving ATTENDance to Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial - Full-Text View - ClinicalTrials. gov; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03646760.

Mortality Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Coronary Artery Disease Are Mediated by Comprehensive Risk Factor Modification: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multicomponent intervention to reduce adverse outcomes from coronary artery disease, but its mechanisms are not fully understood. The aims of this study were to examine the impact of CR on survival and cardiovascular risk factors, and to determine potential mediators between CR attendance and reduced mortality.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retrospective mediation analysis was conducted among 11 196 patients referred to a 12-week CR program following an acute coronary syndrome event between 2009 and 2019. A panel of cardiovascular risk factors was assessed at a CR intake visit and repeated on CR completion. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were ascertained via health care administrative data sets at mean 4.2-year follow-up (SD, 2.81 years). CR completion was associated with reduced all-cause (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.67 [95% CI, 0.54-0.83]) and cardiovascular (adjusted HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.40-0.81]) mortality, as well as improved cardiorespiratory fitness, lipid profile, body composition, psychological distress, and smoking rates (P<0.001). CR attendance had an indirect effect on all-cause mortality via improved cardiorespiratory fitness (ab=-0.006 [95% CI, -0.008 to -0.003]) and via low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ab=-0.002 [95% CI, -0.003 to -0.0003]) and had an indirect effect on cardiovascular mortality via cardiorespiratory fitness (ab=-0.007 [95% CI, -0.012 to -0.003]).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiorespiratory fitness and lipid control partly explain the mortality benefits of CR and represent important secondary prevention targets.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Use After Heart Failure Hospitalization Associated With Advanced Heart Failure Center Status

PURPOSE

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based, guideline-endorsed therapy for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) but is broadly underutilized. Identifying structural factors contributing to increased CR use may inform quality improvement efforts. The objective here was to associate hospitalization at a center providing advanced heart failure (HF) therapies and subsequent CR participation among patients with HFrEF.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on a 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries primarily hospitalized with an HFrEF diagnosis between January 2008 and December 2018. Outpatient claims were used to identify CR use (no/yes), days to first session, number of attended sessions, and completion of 36 sessions. The association between advanced HF status (hospitals performing heart transplantation or ventricular assist device implantations) and CR participation was evaluated with logistic regression, accounting for patient, hospital, and regional factors.

RESULTS

Among 143 392 Medicare beneficiaries, 29 487 (20.6%) were admitted to advanced HF centers (HFCs) and 5317 (3.7%) attended a single CR session within 1 yr of discharge. In multivariable analysis, advanced HFC status was associated with significantly greater relative odds of participating in CR (OR = 2.20: 95% CI, 2.08-2.33; P < .001) and earlier initiation of CR participation (-8.5 d; 95% CI, -12.6 to 4.4; P < .001). Advanced HFC status had little to no association with the intensity of CR participation (number of visits or 36 visit completion).

CONCLUSIONS

Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for HF were more likely to attend CR after discharge if admitted to an advanced HFC than a nonadvanced HFC.

The effectiveness of cardiac telerehabilitation in comparison to centre-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes: A literature review

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an effective, yet under-utilised, form of secondary prevention in cardiac patients. Telemedicine is one method of overcoming barriers to accessing CR. Previous systematic reviews highlight variation in the effectiveness of telerehabilitation programmes and current literature lacks identification of which telemedicine interventions are most effective, despite differences in the results of primary studies. The objectives of this literature review were to: evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac telerehabilitation compared to centre-based programmes for managing cardiac risk factors, satisfaction and adherence in cardiac patients; identify the technologies used to deliver CR; identify the key components of effective interventions.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving an intervention group that received telerehabilitation and a control group that attended a CR centre were included.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There is evidence to suggest that telerehabilitation programmes have similar effectiveness to centre-based CR. Phones were the most commonly used technology. Most studies used a combination of technologies including personal computers and self-monitoring equipment. Phase III telerehabilitation programmes using self-monitoring, motivational feedback and education were more effective than centre-based CR for increasing physical activity and functional capacity.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac telerehabilitation is delivered by a range of technologies and has a similar effectiveness to centre-based programmes. While evidence suggests that additional health benefits are seen in patients who receive a telemedicine intervention in Phase III of CR, further evidence would be required to confidently draw this conclusion.

Improved Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral Rate Utilizing a Multidisciplinary Quality Improvement Team

Introduction Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an underutilized resource in patients with ischemic heart disease, despite being a Class IA recommendation. In this study, a multidisciplinary quality improvement (QI) team aimed to improve CR referrals by standardizing the ordering process at our hospital system. Method By using a collaborative approach involving the electronic medical record (EMR), medical provider education, and hospital protocols, our two-hospital healthcare system was able to successfully identify barriers to CR referral rates and implement interventions for these barriers. All physicians and medical providers, including ancillary staff, were educated on the EMR order sets to improve compliance by using automated order sets in the EMR. The CR referral order in the EMR included a statement regarding the application of evidence-based medicine, and a computerized provider order entry was included as a reminder to the ordering provider. The use of EMR was monitored monthly by the QI committee. Chi-square test and odds ratios were obtained for statistical analysis. Results Through provider-EMR education and patient education on discharge, CR referral rates significantly improved from 51.2 to 87.1% (p = 0.0001) in a 12-month period. The study included 1,499 patients in total. The improvement was statistically significant regardless of patient gender, race, or insurance coverage. Additionally, subgroup analysis in this study found that prior to standardization of the ordering process, African American patients were significantly less likely to be referred to CR compared to Caucasian patients. (51.2% vs. 41.0%, p=0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the likelihood of CR referral between Caucasian and African American patients following the intervention (84.0% vs. 78.0%, p = 0.166). Conclusion This study shows that CR is an underutilized resource and that effective QI initiatives may not only increase CR referral rates but also close the gap between racial inequities in referral rates. Future research with multi-center randomized control trials is needed to further enhance its external generalizability to other institutions.

Interhospital variability in cardiac rehabilitation use after cardiac surgery among Medicare beneficiaries

OBJECTIVE

Despite guideline recommendation, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after cardiac surgery remains underused, and the extent of interhospital variability is not well understood. This study evaluated determinants of interhospital variability in CR use and outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 166,809 Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cardiac surgery who were discharged alive between July 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. CR participation was identified in outpatient facility claims within a year of discharge. Hospital-level CR rates were tabulated, and multilevel models evaluated the extent to which patient, organizational, and regional factors accounted for interhospital variability. Adjusted 1-year mortality and readmission rates were also calculated for each hospital quartile of CR use.

RESULTS

Overall, 90,171 (54.1%) participated in at least 1 CR session within a year of discharge. Interhospital CR rates ranged from 0.0% to 96.8%. Hospital factors that predicted CR use included nonteaching status and lower-hospital volume. Before adjustment for patient, organizational, and regional factors, 19.3% of interhospital variability was attributable to the admitting hospital. After accounting for covariates, 12.3% of variation was attributable to the admitting hospital. Patient (0.5%), structural (2.8%), and regional (3.7%) factors accounted for the remaining explained variation. Hospitals in the lowest quartile of CR use had greater adjusted 1-year mortality rates (Q1 = 6.7%, Q4 = 5.2%, P < .001) and readmission rates (Q1 = 37.6%, Q4 = 33.9%, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying best practices among high CR use facilities and barriers to access in low CR use hospitals may reduce interhospital variability in CR use and advance national improvement efforts.

Temporal trends in admission for cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome in France from 2009 to 2021: Persistent sex, age and social disparities

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome is recommended to decrease patient morbidity and mortality and to improve quality of life.

AIMS

To describe time trends in the rates of patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome in France from 2009 to 2021, and to identify possible disparities.

METHODS

All patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome in France between January 2009 and June 2021 were identified from the national health insurance database. Cardiac rehabilitation attendance was identified within 6 months of acute coronary syndrome hospital discharge. Age-standardized cardiac rehabilitation rates were computed and stratified for sex and acute coronary syndrome subtypes (ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation). Patient characteristics and outcomes were described and compared. Factors independently associated with cardiac rehabilitation attendance were identified.

RESULTS

In 2019, among 134,846 patients with an acute coronary syndrome, 22.3% underwent cardiac rehabilitation within 6 months of acute coronary syndrome hospital discharge. The mean age of patients receiving cardiac rehabilitation was 62 years. The median delay between acute coronary syndrome hospitalization and cardiac rehabilitation was 32 days, with about 60% receiving outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Factors significantly associated with higher cardiac rehabilitation rates were male sex, younger age (35-64 years), least socially disadvantaged group, ST-segment elevation, percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft. Between 2009 and 2019, cardiac rehabilitation rates increased by 40% from 15.9% to 22.3%. Despite greater upward trends in women, their cardiac rehabilitation rate was significantly lower than that for men (14.8% vs. 25.8%). In 2020, cardiac rehabilitation attendance dropped because of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the health benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, current cardiac rehabilitation attendance after acute coronary syndrome remains insufficient in France, particularly among the elderly, women and socially disadvantaged people.

Uptake and implementation of cardiac telerehabilitation: A systematic review of provider and system barriers and enablers

BACKGROUND

Cardiac telerehabilitation has demonstrated effectiveness for patient health outcomes, but uptake and implementation into practice have been limited and variable. While patient-level influences on uptake have been identified, little is known about provider- and system-level factors.

AIMS

To identify provider and system barriers and enablers to uptake and implementation of cardiac telerehabilitation.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted, including a search of six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) from 2000 to March 2023. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles. Study quality was evaluated according to study design by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for qualitative data, the Appraisal Tool for Cross-sectional Studies (AXIS), and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) for mixed methods. Data were analysed using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Twenty eligible studies (total 1674 participants) were included. Perceived provider-level barriers included that cardiac telerehabilitation is resource intensive, inferior to centre-based delivery, and lack of staff preparation. Whereas provider-level enablers were having access to resources, adequate staff preparation, positive staff beliefs regarding cardiac telerehabilitation and positive team dynamics. System-level barriers related to unaligned policy, healthcare system and insurance structures, technology issues, lack of plans for implementation, and inadequate resources. System-level enablers included cost-effectiveness, technology availability, reliability, and adaptability, and adequate program development, implementation planning and leadership support.

CONCLUSIONS

Barriers and enablers at both provider and system levels must be recognised and addressed at the local context to ensure better uptake of cardiac telerehabilitation programs.

Uptake and outcomes of supervised exercise therapy for peripheral artery disease: The importance of vascular medicine specialists at a large midwestern health care system during the first 5 years of CMS reimbursement

BACKGROUND

Supervised exercise therapy (SET) is the cornerstone of medical therapy for symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). Despite the efficacy of SET, initial reports following the 2017 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement decision indicate low SET uptake, referral, and completion. Vascular medicine specialists are key to the success of such programs. We examined rates of SET referral, completion, and outcomes in a health system with a robust SET program during the first 5 years of CMS reimbursement.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients with PAD referred to SET between October 1, 2017 and December 31, 2022 was conducted. Patient demographic and medical characteristics, SET indication, referring provider specialty, SET participation (e.g., exercise modality, number of sessions, treadmill prescription), and outcomes were abstracted. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the sample, evaluate outcomes, and explore outcomes by relevant covariates (i.e., age, sex, referring provider specialty).

RESULTS

Of 5320 patients with PAD, N = 773 were referred to SET; N = 415 enrolled and were included in the present study. Vascular medicine and vascular surgery specialists were the two primary sources of referrals (30.6% and 51.6%, respectively). A total of 207 patients (49.9%) completed SET. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements were observed in all outcomes.

CONCLUSION

SET referral and completion rates are low in the 5 years following CMS reimbursement, despite the advocacy of vascular medicine specialists. SET is effective in improving patient functional capacity and quality of life. Additional efforts are needed to increase both SET availability and referrals as part of comprehensive treatment of PAD.

County-Level Cardiac Rehabilitation and Broadband Availability: Opportunities for Hybrid Care in the United States

PURPOSE

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves patient outcomes and quality of life and can be provided virtually through hybrid CR. However, little is known about CR availability in conjunction with broadband access, a requirement for hybrid CR. This study examined the intersection of CR and broadband availability at the county level, nationwide.

METHODS

Data were gathered and analyzed in 2022 from the 2019 American Community Survey, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Federal Communications Commission. Spatially adaptive floating catchments were used to calculate county-level percent CR availability among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Counties were categorized: by CR availability, whether lowest (ie, CR deserts), medium, or highest; and by broadband availability, whether CR deserts with majority-available broadband, or dual deserts. Results were stratified by state. County-level characteristics were examined for statistical significance by CR availability category.

RESULTS

Almost half of US adults (n = 116 325 976, 47.2%) lived in CR desert counties (1691 counties). Among adults in CR desert counties, 96.8% were in CR deserts with majority-available broadband (112 626 906). By state, the percentage of the adult population living in CR desert counties ranged from 3.2% (New Hampshire) to 100% (Hawaii and Washington, DC). Statistically significant differences in county CR availability existed by race/ethnicity, education, and income.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost half of US adults live in CR deserts. Given that up to 97% of adults living in CR deserts may have broadband access, implementation of hybrid CR programs that include a telehealth component could expand CR availability to as many as 113 million US adults.

Training and attitudes concerning cardiac rehabilitation in Portugal: A national survey of physician members of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a central component in the management of cardiovascular disease. While its potential benefits have been extensively explored and confirmed, its implementation is still suboptimal, due to various possible barriers. This study aimed to assess training and attitudes concerning CR among physicians in a Portuguese setting.

METHODS

An online questionnaire structured in three parts (participant characteristics, training and attitudes concerning CR, and a brief general knowledge assessment) was developed and sent to members of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. The study population encompassed physicians with a medical specialty or residents from the third year onward of a specialty program.

RESULTS

A total of 97 individuals (57.7% male, 61.9% aged ≤50 years) presented valid answers. CR was available at the workplace of 54.6% of participants. Most of them considered that the time allocated to CR training during residency was inadequate, and thought that more time was needed for this purpose. Most had not dedicated (or intended to dedicate) time for CR training, with lack of time being the most frequently attributed reason. In terms of referral, a substantial proportion of subjects did not refer patients, with lack of CR centers and human resources being the most frequent reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey provides contemporary data on CR training and attitudes, highlighting areas of potential improvement, such as time allocated to training in this area. These results could provide a useful pragmatic framework for optimization of training and awareness in this pivotal field of cardiovascular medicine.

Cost-Effectiveness of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Older Adults With Coronary Heart Disease

PURPOSE

While cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended and effective following acute cardiac events, it remains underutilized, particularly in older adults. A study of 601 099 Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 yr hospitalized for coronary heart disease compared 5-yr mortality in users and nonusers of CR. Using instrumental variables (IV), CR improved mortality by 8.0% ( P < .001). A validation analysis based on 70 040 propensity-based (PB) matched pairs gave a similar gain (8.3%, P < .0001). The present cost-effectiveness analysis builds on these mortality results.

METHODS

Using the framework of the Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, we calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) gained due to CR. We accessed the costs from this cohort, inflated to 2022 prices, and assessed the relationship of quality-adjusted life years (QALY) to life years from a systematic review. We estimated the ICER of CR by modeling lifetime costs and QALY from national life tables using IV and PB.

RESULTS

Using IV, CR added 1.344 QALY (95% CI, 0.543-2.144) and $40 472 in costs over the remaining lifetimes of participants. The ICER was $30 188 (95% CI, $18 175-$74 484)/QALY over their lifetimes. Using the PB analysis, the corresponding lifetime values were 2.018 (95% CI, 1.001-3.035) QALY, $66 590, and an ICER of $32 996 (95% CI, $21 942-$66 494)/QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac rehabilitation was highly cost-effective using guidelines established by the World Health Organization and the US Department of Health and Human Services. The favorable clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CR, along with low use by Medicare beneficiaries, support the need to increase CR use.

Barriers to cardiac rehabilitation and patient perceptions on the usage of technologies in cardiac rehabilitation: A cross-sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to identify factors associated with participation in Phase II cardiac rehabilitation and to assess patient perceptions towards the usage of technologies in cardiac rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND

Despite efforts to promote utilisation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), participation among patients remains unsatisfactory. Little is known of patient decision to participate Phase II CR in a multi-ethnic country.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study design.

METHODS

A consecutive sampling of 240 patients with coronary heart disease completed Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire (CADE-Q) II, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS).

RESULTS

Seventy per cent of patients (mean age 60.5 [SD = 10.6] years, 80.8% male) participated in phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Self-driving to cardiac rehabilitation centres, higher barriers in perceived need/health care and logistical factors were significantly associated with decreased odds of participation. Patients with more barriers from comorbidities/functional status, higher perceived social support from friends, and anxiety were more likely to participate. Chinese and Indians were less likely to participate when compared with Malays. More than 80% of patients used both home and mobile broadband internet, and 72.9% of them would accept the usage of technologies, especially educational videos, instant messenger, and video calls to partially replace the face-to-face, centre-based cardiac rehabilitation approach.

CONCLUSION

Several barriers were associated with non-participation in phase II cardiac rehabilitation. With the high perceived acceptance of technology usage in cardiac rehabilitation, home-based and hybrid cardiac rehabilitation may represent potential solutions to improve participation.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

By addressing the barriers to cardiac rehabilitation, patients are more likely to be ready to adopt health behaviour changes and adhere to the cardiac rehabilitation programme. The high perceived acceptance of using technologies in cardiac rehabilitation may provide insights into new delivery models that can improve and overcome barriers to participation.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs: Content, Effectiveness, Limitations, and Gaps in Knowledge

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) constitutes a valuable therapeutic approach for patients with a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases facilitating the development and maintenance of a desirable level of physical, social, and psychological functioning following the onset of cardiovascular disease. Nowadays, cardiac rehabilitation programs emphasize the use of a multidisciplinary approach. The current review aims at presenting the state-of-the-art knowledge on the indications of patients entering cardiac rehabilitation programs, including their core components, duration, and effectiveness. Following a careful review of the international literature, we conclude that there are significant differences between the most commonly cited international CR guidelines as well as additional limitations and gaps in knowledge. Despite the benefits associated with CR and despite their widespread acceptance, CR referrals and program attendance remains low, while many questions have not been so far addressed through scientific research. Overall, the findings of our study suggest a critical need for the development of robust and evidence-based standardized CR interventions to increase their use and effectiveness throughout the world.

How Person-Centred Is Cardiac Rehabilitation in England? Using Bourdieu to Explore Socio-Cultural Influences and Personalisation

The National Health Service (NHS) cardiac rehabilitation patient care pathway has remained largely unchanged for many years despite, on average, half of all eligible patients declining to engage. To investigate reasons for non-engagement, we explored the experiences of ten cardiac patients who participated in cardiac rehabilitation, dropped out, or declined, as well as experiences of seven people deemed significant others by participants. Our ethnographic study involved participant observations, repeat in-depth semi-structured interviews, and reflexive journaling. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted, focusing on participants' lived experiences. Utilising Bourdieusian concepts of habitus, capital, and field, this article highlights how personal biography, material conditions, and dispositional inclinations combine to make cardiac health care decision-making individual and complex. Despite this, health professionals were not always attuned to specific circumstances arising from differences in patients' experiences and lifeworlds. By considering service improvement recommendations that acknowledge socio-cultural influences, cardiac rehabilitation can work towards providing patients and their significant others with more appropriate, personalised, and person-centred support.

Cardiac rehabilitation: the gateway for secondary prevention

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary supervised programme which typically consists of tailored exercise and education on lifestyle management and risk factor modification in cardiac patients. Participation in CR reduces morbidity and mortality, while improving quality of life following major cardiovascular events. Despite the benefits of CR, it is underutilised, generally in the 20%-30% range for eligible patients. Participation and adherence rates are particularly suboptimal in vulnerable populations, such as those of lower socioeconomic status and women. Interventions such as automated referral to CR or hybrid/virtual programmes can increase enrolment to CR. This review summarises the components of CR and provides recommendations for providers regarding participation and adherence. To better engage a larger proportion of CR-eligible patients, CR programmes may need to expand or adjust ways to deliver secondary prevention.

Is early initiated cardiorespiratory fitness training within a model of stroke-integrated cardiac rehabilitation safe and feasible?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the safety and feasibility of an early initiated stroke-integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation program.

METHODS

People with acute first or recurrent ischaemic stroke, admitted to Epworth HealthCare were screened for eligibility and invited to participate. In addition to usual care neurorehabilitation, participants performed 1) cardiorespiratory fitness training 3-days/week during inpatient rehabilitation (Phase 1), and/or 2) 2-days/week centre-based cardiorespiratory fitness training plus education and 1-day/week home-based cardiorespiratory fitness training for 6-weeks during outpatient rehabilitation (Phase 2). Safety was determined by the number of adverse and serious adverse events. Feasibility was determined by participant recruitment, retention, and attendance rates, adherence to exercise recommendations, and participant satisfaction.

RESULTS

There were no study-related adverse or serious adverse events. Of 117 eligible stroke admissions, 62 (53%) were recruited, while 10 (16.1%) participants withdrew. Participants attended 189 of 201 (94%) scheduled cardiorespiratory fitness training sessions in Phase 1 and 341/381 (89.5%) scheduled sessions in Phase 2. Only 220/381 (58%) scheduled education sessions were attended. The minimum recommended cardiorespiratory fitness training intensity (40% heart rate reserve) and duration (20 minutes) was achieved by 57% and 55% of participants respectively during Phase 1, and 60% and 92% respectively during Phase 2. All respondents strongly agreed (69%) or agreed (31%) they would recommend the stroke-integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation program to other people with stroke.

CONCLUSION

Cardiorespiratory fitness training in line with multiple clinical practice guidelines included within a model of stroke-integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation appears to be safe and feasible in the early subacute phase post-stroke.

World Heart Federation Roadmap for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: 2023 Update

Background

Secondary prevention lifestyle and pharmacological treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) reduce a high proportion of recurrent events and mortality. However, significant gaps exist between guideline recommendations and usual clinical practice.

Objectives

Describe the state of the art, the roadblocks, and successful strategies to overcome them in ASCVD secondary prevention management.

Methods

A writing group reviewed guidelines and research papers and received inputs from an international committee composed of cardiovascular prevention and health systems experts about the article's structure, content, and draft. Finally, an external expert group reviewed the paper.

Results

Smoking cessation, physical activity, diet and weight management, antiplatelets, statins, beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, and cardiac rehabilitation reduce events and mortality. Potential roadblocks may occur at the individual, healthcare provider, and health system levels and include lack of access to healthcare and medicines, clinical inertia, lack of primary care infrastructure or built environments that support preventive cardiovascular health behaviours. Possible solutions include improving health literacy, self-management strategies, national policies to improve lifestyle and access to secondary prevention medication (including fix-dose combination therapy), implementing rehabilitation programs, and incorporating digital health interventions. Digital tools are being examined in a range of settings from enhancing self-management, risk factor control, and cardiac rehab.

Conclusions

Effective strategies for secondary prevention management exist, but there are barriers to their implementation. WHF roadmaps can facilitate the development of a strategic plan to identify and implement local and national level approaches for improving secondary prevention.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems in Cardiovascular Diseases

Despite all the advancements in science, medical knowledge, healthcare, and the healthcare industry, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The main reasons are the inadequacy of preventive health services and delays in diagnosis due to the increasing population, the failure of physicians to apply guide-based treatments, the lack of continuous patient follow-up, and the low compliance of patients with doctors' recommendations. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are systems that support complex decision-making processes by using AI techniques such as data analysis, foresight, and optimization. Artificial intelligence-based CDSSs play an important role in patient care by providing more accurate and personalized information to healthcare professionals in risk assessment, diagnosis, treatment optimization, and monitoring and early warning of CVD. These are just some examples, and the use of AI for CVD decision support systems is rapidly evolving. However, for these systems to be fully reliable and effective, they need to be trained with accurate data and carefully evaluated by medical professionals.

Efficacy and Adherence Rates of a Novel Community-Informed Virtual World-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Protocol for the Destination Cardiac Rehab Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Innovative restructuring of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) delivery remains critical to reduce barriers and improve access to diverse populations. Destination Cardiac Rehab is a novel virtual world technology-based CR program delivered through the virtual world platform, Second Life, which previously demonstrated high acceptability as an extension of traditional center-based CR. This study aims to evaluate efficacy and adherence of the virtual world-based CR program compared with center-based CR within a community-informed, implementation science framework.

METHODS

Using a noninferiority, hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation, randomized controlled trial, 150 patients with an eligible cardiovascular event will be recruited from 6 geographically diverse CR centers across the United States. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the 12-week Destination Cardiac Rehab or the center-based CR control groups. The primary efficacy outcome is a composite cardiovascular health score based on the American Heart Association Life's Essential 8 at 3 and 6 months. Adherence outcomes include CR session attendance and participation in exercise sessions. A diverse patient/caregiver/stakeholder advisory board was assembled to guide recruitment, implementation, and dissemination plans and to contextualize study findings. The institutional review board-approved randomized controlled trial will enroll and randomize patients to the intervention (or control group) in 3 consecutive waves/year over 3 years. The results will be published at data collection and analyses completion.

CONCLUSIONS

The Destination Cardiac Rehab randomized controlled trial tests an innovative and potentially scalable model to enhance CR participation and advance health equity. Our findings will inform the use of effective virtual CR programs to expand equitable access to diverse patient populations.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT05897710.

Cardiac telerehabilitation under 5G internet of things monitoring: a randomized pilot study

Owing to issues such as time and cost, patients often show poor acceptance of and adherence to center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR), which impacts the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Therefore, there is growing interest in home-based cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac telerehabilitation (CTR), which entail less time and cost than CBCR. This study aimed to compare the changes in physiological and psychological indicators, compliance, and satisfaction after CTR and CBCR. In this single-blind, randomized, controlled trial, the intervention group received CTR via the 5G Internet of Things platform, while the control group received CBCR. Data from 50 patients (age 66.28 ± 4.01 years) with acute myocardial infarction who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were analyzed. After an intervention period of three months, the maximal oxygen uptake and metabolic equivalent of task were 5.53 ± 0.12 and 19.32 ± 0.17, respectively, in the intervention group, and 4.15 ± 0.13 and 16.52 ± 0.18, respectively, in the control group. After three months of intervention, there were significant differences between the two groups in all observed indicators (p < 0.05), except for low-density lipoprotein and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (p > 0.05). The use of a 5G Internet of Things platform cardiac rehabilitation model effectively improved outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Trials registry: The study protocol was registered at Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR), first trial registration 07/08/2023, identification number ChiCTR2300074435.

Effectiveness of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation in patients with heart failure.

DESIGN

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials were designed and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

METHODS

Two researchers independently screened eligible studies. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used to assess the risk of bias within the included studies. A fixed- or random-effects meta-analysis model was used to determine the mean difference, based on the results of the heterogeneity test.

DATA SOURCES

A librarian-designed search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, CBM, CNKI and Wanfang databases was conducted to identify studies in English or Chinese on randomised controlled trials up to 15 August 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 2291 studies were screened. The meta-analysis included data from 16 studies representing 4557 participants. The results indicated that home-based cardiac telerehabilitation could improve heart rate, VO2 peak, 6-minute walk distance, quality of life and reduce readmission rates. No significant differences were observed in the left ventricular ejection fraction percentages between the home-based cardiac telerehabilitation and usual care groups. Compared with centre-based cardiac rehabilitation, home-based cardiac telerehabilitation showed no significant improvement in outcome indicators.

CONCLUSION

Patients with heart failure benefit from home-based cardiac telerehabilitation intervention. With the rapid development of information and communication technology, home-based cardiac telerehabilitation has great potential and may be used as an adjunct or substitute for centre-based cardiac rehabilitation.

IMPACT

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that patients with heart failure would benefit from home-based cardiac telerehabilitation intervention in terms of cardiac function, functional capacity, quality-of-life management and readmission rate. Future clinical interventions should consider home-based cardiac telerehabilitation as an alternative to conventional cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure to improve their quality of life.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Our paper is a systematic review and meta-analysis, and such details do not apply to our work.

2023 TAMIS/TSOC/TACVPR Consensus Statement for Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive intervention recommended in international and Taiwanese guidelines for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Evidence supports that cardiac rehabilitation improves the health-related quality of life, enhances exercise capacity, reduces readmission rates, and promotes survival in patients with cardiovascular disease. The cardiac rehabilitation team is comprehensive and multidisciplinary. The inpatient, outpatient, and maintenance phases are included in cardiac rehabilitation. All patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction should be referred to the rehabilitation department as soon as clinically feasible. Pre-exercise evaluation, including exercise testing, helps physicians identify the risks of cardiac rehabilitation and organize appropriate exercise prescriptions. Therefore, the Taiwan Myocardial Infarction Society (TAMIS), Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC), and Taiwan Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (TACVPR) address this consensus statement to assist healthcare practitioners in performing cardiac rehabilitation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Reduces 2-Year Mortality After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a supervised outpatient exercise and risk reduction program offered to patients who have undergone coronary revascularization procedures. Multiple professional societal guidelines support the use of CR after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) based on studies in combined percutaneous coronary intervention and CABG populations with surrogate outcomes. This statewide analysis of patients undergoing CABG evaluated the relationship between CR use and long-term mortality.

METHODS

Medicare fee-for-service claims were linked to surgical data for patients discharged alive after isolated CABG from January 1, 2015, through September 30, 2019. Outpatient facility claims were used to identify any CR use within 1 year of discharge. Death within 2 years of discharge was the primary outcome. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to predict CR use, adjusting for a variety of comorbidities. Unadjusted and inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to compare 2-year mortality among CR users vs nonusers.

RESULTS

A total of 3848 of 6412 patients (60.0%) were enrolled in CR for an average of 23.2 (SD, 12.0) sessions, with 770 of 6412 (12.0%) completing all recommended 36 sessions. Logistic regression identified increasing age, discharge to home (vs extended care facility), and shorter length of stay as predictors of postdischarge CR use (P < .05). Unadjusted and IPTW analyses showed significant reduction in 2-year mortality in CR users compared with CR nonusers (unadjusted: 9.4% reduction; 95% CI, 10.8%-7.9%; P < .001; IPTW: -4.8% reduction; 95% CI, 6.0%-3.5%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that CR use is associated with lower 2-year mortality. Future quality initiatives should consider identifying and addressing root causes of poor CR enrollment and completion.

Predictors and Variation in Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is strongly recommended for a spectrum of cardiovascular conditions and procedures including aortic valve replacement.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to characterize patient and hospital factors associated with CR participation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and determine which factors explain hospital-level variation in CR participation.

Methods

We linked clinical and administrative claims data from patients who underwent TAVR at 24 Michigan hospitals between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2020 and obtained rates of CR enrollment within 90 days of discharge. Sequential mixed models were fit to evaluate hospital variation in 90-day post-TAVR CR participation.

Results

Among 3,372 patients, 30.6% participated in CR within 90-days after discharge. Several patient factors were negatively associated with CR participation after TAVR including older age, Medicaid insurance, atrial fibrillation/flutter, dialysis use, and slower baseline 5-m walk times. There was substantial hospital variation in CR participation after TAVR ranging from 5% to 60% across 24 hospitals. Patient case mix did not explain hospital variation in CR across hospitals with median OR numerically increasing from 2.11 (95% CI: 1.62-2.67) to 2.13 (95% CI: 1.61-2.68) after accounting for patient-level factors.

Conclusions

Less than 1 in 3 patients who underwent TAVR in Michigan participated in CR within 90-days of discharge. Although several patient factors are associated with CR participation, hospital-level variation in CR participation after TAVR is not explained by patient case mix. Identifying hospital processes of care that promote CR participation after TAVR will be critical to improving CR participation after TAVR.

Effects of the Full-Body in-Bed Gym program on quality of life, pain and risk of sarcopenia in elderly sedentary individuals: preliminary positive results of a Padua prospective observational study

Age-related muscle loss poses a significant health concern in an aging population. This study aimed to assess the impact of a home Full-Body in-Bed Gym protocol on quality of life, pain and risk of sarcopenia in elderly subjects. A total of 22 subjects with a median age of 71.90 years were included in the study. Patients participating in the Full-Body in-Bed Gym program, with a frequency of three times a week for two months, demonstrated a significant enhancement in their quality of life, as indicated by the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) Mental Component Summary (p = 0.04), and an improvement in pain levels (p = 0.03). Although not statistically significant, there was also an improvement in sarcopenia risk. Patients were given the freedom to decide whether to continue treatment after the evaluation of outcomes. Patient compliance with the exercise protocol over six months indicated its feasibility and sustainability, even in the long term. These findings suggest that the Full-Body in-Bed Gym protocol may play a valuable role in mitigating age-related muscle loss, emphasizing the importance of further investigation into such rehabilitation and prevention strategies.

Medical Disruptions During Center-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Necessary Appraisal for the Development of Emerging Remote and Virtual Care Models

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to show that with remote and virtual cardiac rehabilitation (CR) care models rapidly emerging, CR core components must be maintained to prioritize safety and effectiveness. Currently, there is a paucity of data on medical disruptions in phase 2 center-based CR (cCR). This study aimed to characterize the frequency and types of unplanned medical disruptions.

METHODS

We reviewed 5038 consecutive sessions from 251 patients enrolled in cCR program from October 2018 to September 2021. Quantification of events was normalized to sessions to control for multiple disruptions that occurred to a single patient. A multivariate logistical regression model was used to predict comorbid risk factors for disruptions.

RESULTS

Fifty percent of patients experienced one or more disruptions during cCR. Glycemic events (71%) and blood pressure (12%) abnormalities accounted for most of these while symptomatic arrhythmias (8%) and chest pain (7%) were less frequent. Sixty-six percent of events occurred within the first 12 wk. The regression model showed that a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was the strongest predictor for disruptions (OR = 2.66: 95% CI, 1.57-4.52; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Medical disruptions were frequent during cCR, with glycemic events being most common and occurring early. A diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was a strong independent risk factor for events. This appraisal suggests that patients living with diabetes mellitus, particularly those on insulin, need to be the highest priority for monitoring and planning and suggests that a hybrid care model may be beneficial in this population.

The Effect of Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation on Cardiovascular Risk Factors Management

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) and center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR) in cardiovascular risk factor management.

METHODS

We performed retrospective review of the electronic medical records of 72 patients who were hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome and participated in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program for the first time. The participants were stratified into the HBCR group, receiving educational programs and performing self-exercise at home, and the CBCR group, participating in electrocardiogram monitoring monitoring exercise training in hospital settings. The results of the Lifestyle Questionnaire survey were investigated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

RESULTS

Both groups showed significant improvements in serum low-density lipoprotein levels, frequency of alcohol consumption, eating habits and psychological status. Moderate-intensity exercise duration and the maximal metabolic equivalents values improved significantly in both groups but slightly more in the CBCR group. However, the number of current smokers increased in both groups, and no significant changes were found in body mass index, serum glycated hemoglobin levels, serum high-density lipoprotein levels, or high-intensity exercise duration.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of the CR program type, a patient's lifestyle can be modified. Therefore, patients should continue participating in any type of CR program.

Longer-Term Effects of Cardiac Telerehabilitation on Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac telerehabilitation offers a flexible and accessible model for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), effectively transforming the traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) approach.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of cardiac telerehabilitation.

METHODS

We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in 7 electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WANFANG. The primary outcome focused on cardiopulmonary fitness. For secondary outcomes, we examined cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, BMI, and serum lipids), psychological scales of depression and anxiety, quality of life (QoL), cardiac telerehabilitation adherence, and adverse events.

RESULTS

In total, 10 RCTs fulfilled the predefined criteria, which were reviewed in our meta-analysis. The results showed that after cardiac telerehabilitation, there was a significant difference in the improvement in long-term peak oxygen uptake compared to center-based CR (mean difference [MD] 1.61, 95% CI 0.38-2.85, P=.01), particularly after 6-month rehabilitation training (MD 1.87, 95% CI 0.34-3.39, P=.02). The pooled effect size of the meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the reduction in cardiovascular risk factor control. There was also no practical demonstration of anxiety scores or depression scores. However, cardiac telerehabilitation demonstrated an improvement in the long-term QoL of patients (MD 0.92, 95% CI 0.06-1.78, P=.04). In addition, the study reported a high completion rate (80%) for cardiac telerehabilitation interventions. The incidence of adverse events was also low during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac telerehabilitation proves to be more effective in improving cardiopulmonary fitness and QoL during the long-term follow-up for patients with CAD. Our study highlights monitoring-enabled and patient-centered telerehabilitation programs, which play a vital role in the recovery and development of CAD and in the long-term prognosis of patients.

"Now is the time for institutions to be investing in growing exercise programs as part of standard of care": a multiple case study examining the implementation of exercise oncology interventions

BACKGROUND

Implementation science seeks to systematically identify determinants, strategies, and outcomes within a causal pathway to help explain successful implementation. This process is applied to evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to improve their adoption, implementation, and sustainment. However, this method has not been applied to exercise oncology services, meaning we lack knowledge about implementing exercise EBIs in routine practice. This study aimed to develop causal pathways from the determinants, strategies (including mechanism of change), and implementation outcomes to explain exercise EBIs implementation in routine cancer care.

METHODS

A multiple-case study was conducted across three healthcare sites in Australia. Sites selected had implemented exercise within routine care for people diagnosed with cancer and sustained the delivery of services for at least 12 months. Four data sources informed the study: semi-structured interviews with staff, document reviews, observations, and the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (survey). Framework analysis was applied to understand the findings. The Implementation Research Logic Model was used to identify commonalities in implementation across sites and develop causal pathways.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eighteen data points informed our findings. Across sites, 18 determinants and 22 implementation strategies were consistent. Sixteen determinants and 24 implementation strategies differed across sites and results of implementation outcomes varied. We identified 11 common pathways that when combined, help explain implementation processes. The mechanisms of implementation strategies operating within the pathways included (1) knowledge, (2) skills, (3) secure resources, (4) optimism, and (5) simplified decision-making processes associated with exercise; (6) relationships (social and professional) and support for the workforce; (7) reinforcing positive outcomes; (8) capability to action plan through evaluations and (9) interactive learning; (10) aligned goals between the organisation and the EBI; and (11) consumer-responsiveness.

CONCLUSION

This study developed causal pathways that explain the how and why of successful implementation of exercise EBIs in cancer care. These findings can support future planning and optimisation activities by creating more opportunities for people with cancer to access evidence-based exercise oncology services.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Understanding how to implement exercise within routine cancer care successfully is important so cancer survivors can experience the benefits of exercise.

Optimized progression of Full-Body In-Bed Gym workout: an educational case report

People suffering from fatigue syndromes spend less time exercising each day, thus aggravating their motor difficulties. Indeed, muscles and mobility deteriorate with age, while exercising muscles is the only sure countermeasure. It is useful to offer a safe and toll-free rehabilitation training: Full-Body In-Bed Gym, easy to learn and performe at home. We suggest a 10-20 min daily routine of easy and safe physical exercises that may improve the main 200 skeletal muscles used for every-day activities. Many of the exercises can be performed in bed (Full-Body In-Bed Gym), so hospital patients can learn this light workout before leaving the hospital. The routine consists of series of repetitions of 15 bodyweight exercises to be performed one after the other without time breaks in between. Alternating sequences of arm and leg exercises are followed by moving body parts in lying and sitting positions in bed. These are followed by series of tiptoeing off the bed. Progressive improvements can be tested by a series of push-ups on the floor. Starting from 3-5, number of repetitions are increased by adding 3 more every week. To maintain or even shorten total daily time of workout each movement is weekly speeded up. The devoted time every morning (or at least five days a week) to train all the major muscles of the body can remain under 10 minutes. Because there are no breaks during and between sets, the final push-ups become very challenging: at the end of the daily workout heart rate, depth and number of ventilations and frontal perspiration increase for a few minutes. We here provide an example of how to implement the progression of the Full-Body In-Bed Gym presenting an educational Case Report of a trained 80-year old person in stable pharmacological managements. In addition to strengthening the main muscles, including the ventilatory muscles, Although performed in bed, Full-Body In-Bed Gym is a resistance training equivalent to a short jog.. Started in early winter and continued regularly throughout spring and summer, Full-Body In-Bed Gym can help maintain independence of frail people, including those younger persons suffering with the fatigue syndrome related to the viral infection of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial incentives and case management to improve cardiac rehabilitation participation among patients with lower socio-economic status: Rationale and protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Participation in phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is associated with significant decreases in morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, attendance at CR is not optimal and certain populations, such as those with lower-socioeconomic status (SES), are less likely to participate. In order to remedy this disparity we have designed a trial to examine the efficacy of early case management and/or financial incentives for increasing CR participation among lower-SES patients.

METHODS

We will employ a randomized controlled trial with a sample goal of 209 patients who will be randomized 2:3:3:3 to either a usual care control, to receive a case manager starting in-hospital, to receive financial incentives for completing CR sessions, or to receive both interventions.

RESULTS

Treatment conditions will be compared on attendance at CR and end-of-intervention (four months) improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, executive function, and health-related quality of life. The primary outcome measures for this project will be number of CR sessions completed and the percentage who complete ≥30 sessions. Secondary outcomes will include improvements in health outcomes by condition, as well as the cost-effectiveness of the intervention with a focus on potential reductions in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. We hypothesize that either intervention will perform better than the control and that the combination of interventions will perform better than either alone.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic examination of interventions will allow us to test the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of approaches that have the potential to increase CR participation substantially and significantly improve health outcomes among patients with lower-SES.

The Association Between Mobile App Use and Change in Functional Capacity Among Cardiac Rehabilitation Participants: Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is underused in the United States and globally, with participation disparities across gender, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicities. The pandemic led to greater adoption of telehealth CR and mobile app use.

OBJECTIVE

Our primary objective was to estimate the association between CR mobile app use and change in functional capacity from enrollment to completion in patients participating in a CR program that offered in-person, hybrid, and telehealth CR. Our secondary objectives were to study the association between mobile app use and changes in blood pressure (BP) or program completion.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of participants enrolled in CR at an urban CR program in the United States. Participants were English speaking, at least 18 years of age, participated in the program between May 22, 2020, and May 21, 2022, and downloaded the CR mobile app. Mobile app use was quantified by number of exercise logs, vitals logs, and education material views. The primary outcome was change in functional capacity, measured by change in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) from enrollment to completion. The secondary outcome was change in BP from enrollment to completion. We estimated associations using multivariable linear or logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status by ZIP code, insurance, and primary diagnosis for CR referral.

RESULTS

A total of 107 participants (mean age 62.9, SD 13.02 years; 90/107, 84.1% male; and 57/105, 53.3% self-declared as White Caucasian) used the mobile app and completed the CR program. Participants had a mean 64.0 (SD 54.1) meter increase in 6MWD between enrollment and completion (P<.001). From enrollment to completion, participants with an elevated BP at baseline (≥130/80 mmHg) experienced a significant decrease in BP (systolic BP -11.5 mmHg; P=.002 and diastolic BP -7.7 mmHg; P=.003). We found no significant association between total app interactions and change in 6MWD (coefficient -0.03, 95% CI -0.1 to 0.07; P=.59) or change in BP (systolic coefficient 0.002, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.03; P=.87 and diastolic coefficient -0.005, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.02; P=.65). There was no significant association between total exercise logs and change in 6MWD (coefficient 0.1, 95% CI -0.3 to 0.4; P=.57) or total BP logs and change in BP (systolic coefficient -0.02, 95% CI -0.1 to 0.06; P=.63 and diastolic coefficient -0.02, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.04; P=.50). There was no significant association between total app interactions and completion of CR (adjusted odds ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.01; P=.44).

CONCLUSIONS

CR mobile app use as part of an in-person, hybrid, or telehealth CR program was not associated with greater improvement in functional capacity or BP or with program completion.

Hospital-Level Variation in Cardiac Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction in Japan During Fiscal Years 2014-2015 Using the National Database

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based medical service for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, its implementation is inadequate. We investigated the provision status and equality of CR by hospitals in Japan using a comprehensive nationwide claims database. Methods and Results: We analyzed data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups in Japan for the period April 2014-March 2016. We identified patients aged ≥20 years with postintervention AMI. We calculated hospital-level proportions of inpatient and outpatient CR participation. The equality of hospital-level proportions of inpatient and outpatient CR participation was evaluated using the Gini coefficient. We included 35,298 patients from 813 hospitals for the analysis of inpatients and 33,328 patients from 799 hospitals for the analysis of outpatients. The median hospital-level proportions of inpatient and outpatient CR participation were 73.3% and 1.8%, respectively. The distribution of inpatient CR participation was bimodal; the Gini coefficients of inpatient and outpatient CR participation were 0.37 and 0.73, respectively. Although there were statistically significant differences in the hospital-level proportion of CR participation for several hospital factors, CR certification status for reimbursement was the only visually evident factor affecting the distribution of CR participation. Conclusions: The distributions of inpatient and outpatient CR participation by hospitals were suboptimal. Further research is warranted to determine future strategies.

Developing and delivering a hybrid Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase II exercise program during the COVID-19 pandemic: a quality improvement program

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cessation of approximately 75% of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes worldwide. In March 2020, CR phase II (CRP2) services were stopped in Qatar. Multiple studies had shown safety, effectiveness, reduced cost of delivery and improved participation with hybrid CR. A multidisciplinary team reviewed various alternative models for delivery and decided to implement a hybrid CRP2 exercise programme (HCRP2-EP) to ensure continuation of our patient care. Our aim was to enrol in the HCRP2-EP 70% of all eligible patients by 30 September 2020. Institute for Health Care Improvement's collaborative model was adopted. Multiple plan-do-study-act cycles were used to test change ideas. The outcomes of the project were analysed using standard run chart rules to detect the changes in outcomes over time. This project was implemented from March 2020, and the male patients enrolled between August 2020 and April 2021, with sustained monthly median enrolment above target of 70% throughout. As for our secondary outcome, 75.8% of the male patients who completed HCRP2-EP showed a meaningful change in peak exercise capacity of ≥10% (mean change 17%±6%). There were no major adverse events reported, and the median Patient Satisfaction Score was 96% well above the institutional target of 90%. This shows a well-designed quality improvement programme is an appropriate strategy for implementing HCRP2-EP in a clinical setting, and HCRP2-EP is a feasible, effective and safe intervention in eligible male patients with cardiovascular disease.

Participation and Prognostic Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation After Acute Coronary Syndrome: Big-Data Study of the Korean National Health Insurance Service

BACKGROUND

To investigate the actual rate and quality of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation in South Korea and its short-term impact on clinical outcomes after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

Data, including confirmed ACS diagnosis, socio-demographics, comorbidities, clinical outcomes, and CR claim codes, were collected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service claims database and compared between the CR and non-CR groups.

RESULTS

Overall, 102,544 patients were included in the study, of which only 5.8% attended CR. Regarding testing, 83.6% of CR patients performed the cardiopulmonary exercise test, but follow-up testing was infrequently performed; in addition, 53.1% of them participated in an electrocardiogram monitoring exercise, but over half participated in only one session. After 1:1 propensity score matching, post-ACS cardiovascular events were significantly lower in the CR group than in the non-CR group. The cumulative 3-year hazard ratio for all-cause death was 0.612 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.495-0.756), recurrent ACS was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.853-0.993), CR readmission was 0.817 (95% CI, 0.768-0.868), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was 0.827 (95% CI, 0.781-0.874) in the CR group. CR was associated with a significant dose-response effect on MACE, with a reduction in incidence from 0.854 to 0.711.

CONCLUSION

The actual rate of CR participation in South Korea remains low, and participation quality was not outstanding despite National Health Insurance coverage. Nevertheless, the impact of CR on cardiovascular outcomes after ACS was significantly superior. Efforts to increase CR participation should be increased by establishing new CR facilities and strategies to resolve associated barriers.

Surveillance of the Initiation of, Participation in, and Completion of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Minnesota, 2017-2018

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based secondary prevention program designed to improve cardiovascular health after a cardiac event. The objective of our study was to identify gaps in CR use among publicly and privately insured people in Minnesota to assist in developing shared goals among public health, cardiac rehabilitation professionals, and program delivery sites to improve CR delivery.

METHODS

We applied a published claims-based surveillance methodology to the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database to assess eligibility for, initiation of, participation in, and completion of CR by patients with qualifying events in 2017. We stratified results by sociodemographic and geographic factors and qualifying condition and used adjusted prevalence ratios to make statistical comparisons.

RESULTS

Less than half (47.6%) of qualifying patients initiated CR within 1 year of their qualifying event; the rate was higher among men (vs women), adults aged 45 to 64 years (vs ≥65 y), and patients with commercial or Medicaid insurance coverage (vs Medicare). Among those who initiated CR, only 14.0% completed the full series of 36 sessions. Participation in at least 12 sessions and completion of 36 sessions was less likely among adults aged 18 to 64 (vs 65-74 y) and among patients covered by Medicaid (vs Medicare). Patterns of CR initiation, participation, and completion also varied geographically.

CONCLUSION

This analysis expands on previous Medicare fee-for-service population CR surveillance and provides a first detailed look at the CR landscape in Minnesota, renewing attention to CR as a key secondary prevention strategy. Collaboration and sharing with partners has established the Minnesota Department of Health as a valuable partner in driving health system change to improve equitable provision of CR in Minnesota.

The cost-effectiveness of exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation intervention: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Alternatives such as remotely delivered therapy in the home environment or telehealth represent an opportunity to increase overall cardiac rehabilitation (CR) utilization. Implementing alternatives into regular practice is the next step in development; however, the cost aspect is essential for policymakers. Limited economic budgets lead to cost-effectiveness analyses before implementation. They are appropriate in cases where there is evidence that the compared intervention provides a similar health benefit to usual care. This systematic review aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of exercise-based telehealth CR interventions compared to standard exercise-based CR.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

PubMed and Web of Science databases were systematically searched up to August 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials assessing patients undergoing telehealth CR. The intervention was compared to standard CR protocols. The primary intent was to identify the cost-effectiveness. Interventions that met the criteria were home-based telehealth CR interventions delivered by information and communications technology (telephone, computer, internet, or videoconferencing) and included the results of an economic evaluation, comparing interventions in terms of cost-effectiveness, utility, costs and benefits, or cost-minimization analysis. The systematic review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO Registry (CRD42022322531).

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Out of 1525 identified studies, 67 articles were assessed for eligibility, and, at the end of the screening process, 12 studies were included in the present systematic review. Most studies (92%) included in this systematic review found strong evidence that exercise-based telehealth CR is cost-effective. Compared to CBCR, there were no major differences, except for three studies evaluating a significant difference in average cost per patient and intervention costs in favor of telehealth CR.

CONCLUSIONS

Telehealth CR based on exercise is as cost-effective as CBCR interventions. Funding telehealth CR by third-party payers may promote patient participation to increase overall CR utilization. High-quality research is needed to identify the most cost-effective design.

Geographic Variation in Access to Cardiac Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

There is marked geographic variation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) initiation, ranging from 10% to 40% of eligible patients at the state level. The potential causes of this variation, such as patient access to CR centers, are not well studied.

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to determine how access to CR centers affects CR initiation in Medicare beneficiaries.

METHODS

The authors used Medicare files to identify CR-eligible Medicare beneficiaries and calculate CR initiation rates at the hospital referral region (HRR) level. We used linear regression to evaluate the percent variation in CR initiation accounted for by CR access across HRRs. We then employed geospatial hotspot analysis to identify CR deserts, or counties in which patient load per CR center is disproportionately high.

RESULTS

A total of 1,133,657 Medicare beneficiaries were eligible for CR from 2014 to 2017, of whom 263,310 (23%) initiated CR. The West North Central Census Division had the highest adjusted CR initiation rate (35.4%) and the highest density of CR programs (6.58 per 1,000 CR-eligible Medicare beneficiaries). Density of CR programs accounted for 21.2% of geographic variation in CR initiation at the HRR level. A total of 40 largely urban counties comprising 14% of the United States population age ≥65 years had disproportionately low CR access and were identified as CR deserts.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of geographic variation in CR initiation was related to access to CR programs, with a significant amount of the U.S. population living in CR deserts. These data invite further study on interventions to increase CR access.

Association of Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation With Lower Mortality in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: Results From the Veterans Health Administration Healthy Heart Program

Background Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) and traditional facility-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have similar effects on mortality in clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, the effect of HBCR on mortality in clinical practice settings is less clear. Therefore, we sought to compare mortality rates in HBCR participants versus nonparticipants. Methods and Results We evaluated all patients who were referred to and eligible for outpatient CR between 2013 and 2018 at the San Francisco Veterans Health Administration. Patients who chose to attend facility-based CR and those who died within 30 days of hospitalization were excluded. Patients who chose to participate in HBCR received up to 9 telephonic coaching and motivational interviewing sessions over 12 weeks. All patients were followed through June 30, 2021. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models with inverse probability treatment weighting to compare mortality in HBCR participants versus nonparticipants. Of the 1120 patients (mean age 68, 98% male, 76% White) who were referred and eligible, 490 (44%) participated in HBCR. During a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 185 patients (17%) died. Mortality was lower among the 490 HBCR participants versus the 630 nonparticipants (12% versus 20%; P<0.01). In an inverse probability weighted Cox regression analysis adjusted for patient demographics and comorbid conditions, the hazard of mortality remained 36% lower among HBCR participants versus nonparticipants (hazard ratio, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.45-0.90], P=0.01). Conclusions Among patients eligible for CR, participation in HBCR was associated with 36% lower hazard of mortality. Although unmeasured confounding can never be eliminated in an observational study, our findings suggest that HBCR may benefit patients who cannot attend traditional CR programs.

A Community-Informed Virtual World-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program as an Extension of Center-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: MIXED-METHODS ANALYSIS OF A MULTICENTER PILOT STUDY

PURPOSE

Innovative methods for delivering cardiac rehabilitation (CR) that provide strategies to circumvent the mounting barriers to traditional CR have the potential to widen access to a well-established secondary prevention strategy. Our study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of a novel virtual world-based CR (VWCR) program, Destination Rehab , as an extension of a conventional center-based CR program.

METHODS

Adult cardiac patients hospitalized at Mayo Clinic hospitals with a diagnosis for CR and ≥1 modifiable, lifestyle risk factor target-sedentary lifestyle (<3 hr physical activity/wk), unhealthy diet (<5 servings fruits and vegetables/d), or current smoking (>1 yr)-were recruited. Patients participated in an 8-wk health education program using a virtual world (VW) platform from a prior proof-of-concept study and a post-intervention focus group. Primary outcome measures included feasibility and acceptability. Secondary outcome measures included changes from baseline to post-intervention in cardiovascular (CV) health behaviors and biometrics, CV health knowledge, and psychosocial factors.

RESULTS

Of the 30 enrolled patients (age 59.1 ± 9.7 yr; 50% women), 93% attended ≥1 session and 71% attended ≥75% of sessions. The overall VWCR experience received an 8 rating (scale 0-10) and had high acceptability. Clinically relevant trends were noted in CV health behaviors and biometrics, although not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The VWCR program is a feasible, highly acceptable, and innovative platform to potentially influence health behaviors and CV risk and may increase accessibility to disadvantaged populations with higher CV disease burdens.

Impact of COVID-19's on Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Programs in Brazil: An Online Survey-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) programs in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the characteristics of CR programs in Brazil, the impacts of the first epidemiological wave of COVID-19 (first 60 days) on the programs and present the initiatives used to overcome the impacts.

METHOD

This cross-sectional and retrospective study utilized a specific online survey. Participants were coordinators of CR programs. Variables were presented by Brazilian geographic region and as the following categories: demographic, clinical and operational characteristics. The significance level for statistical analysis was set at 5%.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine CR programs were responsible for 5,349 patients, of which only 1,817 were post-acute cardiovascular events, which corresponded to 1.99% of hospitalized patients in the month prior to the survey (n=91,231). The greatest impact was the suspension of on-site activities, which occurred similarly in areas with the highest and the lowest rates of COVID-19 in the period. Forty-five programs (75%) were shortly interrupted, while three (5%) were ended. All 42 programs that already used remote rehabilitation strategies noticed a substantial increase in activities, based primarily on the use of media and video calling. Only three (5%) considered safe to see patients during the first 60 days.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a reduction in the number of CR programs with the COVID-19 pandemic. Telerehabilitation activities increased during the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this was not enough to overcome the reduction in CR program activities across Brazil.

Targeting Obesity to Optimize Weight Loss in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A PILOT STUDY

PURPOSE

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are integral in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, most programs do not incorporate structured, evidence-based obesity treatment, potentially limiting efficacy for the large number of CHD patients with overweight/obesity. This pilot study determined the feasibility of adding a behavioral weight loss intervention during standard CR.

METHODS

Adults aged ≥40 yr with CHD and overweight/obesity were randomized to 6 mo of CR alone or CR plus a behavioral weight loss program incorporating meal replacements and individual dietary counseling (CR + WL). Body weight, adiposity, cardiometabolic risk factors, self-efficacy for eating, and stages and processes of change for weight management (S-Weight, P-Weight) were assessed at baseline and during follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight participants (64.5 ± 7.9 yr, 24% female, 16% Black/Hispanic) were enrolled over 18 mo. Retention was high, with 95% of participants completing the 6-mo follow-up visit. Participants attended ∼58% of the prescribed exercise sessions, and those in the CR + WL group attended 98% of the prescribed weight loss sessions. The CR + WL group lost significantly more weight than the CR group (6.4 ± 4.7% vs 1.2 ± 3.0%, P = .001), and there were significant treatment effects for total/regional adiposity, eating self-efficacy, and P-weight scores (all P values < .05). Overall, greater weight loss was associated with improvements in self-efficacy ( P = .014) and P-weight scores for weight consequences evaluation ( P = .007) and weight management actions ( P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

A behavioral weight loss intervention during CR is feasible and safe, leading to greater weight and fat loss and related improvements in weight maintenance behaviors in overweight/obese adults with CHD.