No transport? No worries! Cardiac telerehabilitation is a feasible and effective alternative to centre-based programs

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.

Comprehensive and personalized approach is a critical area for developing remote cardiac rehabilitation programs

In the evolving landscape of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), adopting digital technologies, including synchronous/real-time digital interventions and smart applications, has emerged as a transformative approach. These technologies offer real-time health data access, continuous vital sign monitoring, and personalized educational enhanced patient self-management and engagement. Despite their potential benefits, challenges and limitations exist, necessitating careful consideration. Synchronous/real-time digital CR involves remote, two-way audiovisual communication, addressing issues of accessibility and promoting home-based interventions. Smart applications extend beyond traditional healthcare, providing real-time health data and fostering patient empowerment. Wearable devices and mobile apps enable continuous monitoring, tracking of rehabilitation outcomes, and facilitate lifestyle modifications crucial for cardiac health maintenance. As digital CR progresses, ensuring patient access, equitable implementation, and addressing the digital divide becomes paramount. Artificial intelligence holds promise in the early detection of cardiac events and tailoring patient-specific CR programs. However, challenges such as digital literacy, data privacy, and security must be addressed to ensure inclusive implementation. Moreover, the shift toward digital CR raises concerns about cost, safety, and potential depersonalization of therapeutic relationships. A transformative shift towards technologically enabled CR necessitates further research, focusing not only on technological advancements but also on customization to meet diverse patient needs. Overcoming challenges related to cost, safety, data security, and potential depersonalization is crucial for the widespread adoption of digital CR. Future studies should explore integrating moral values into digital therapeutic relationships and ensure that digital CR is accessible, equitable, and seamlessly integrated into routine cardiac care. Theoretical frameworks that accommodate the dynamic quality of real-time monitoring and feedback feature of digital CR interventions should be considered to guide intervention development.

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.

Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Expand Accessibility and Improve Precision in Rehabilitation and Exercise for People with Disabilities

Physical rehabilitation and exercise training have emerged as promising solutions for improving health, restoring function, and preserving quality of life in populations that face disparate health challenges related to disability. Despite the immense potential for rehabilitation and exercise to help people with disabilities live longer, healthier, and more independent lives, people with disabilities can experience physical, psychosocial, environmental, and economic barriers that limit their ability to participate in rehabilitation, exercise, and other physical activities. Together, these barriers contribute to health inequities in people with disabilities, by disproportionately limiting their ability to participate in health-promoting physical activities, relative to people without disabilities. Therefore, there is great need for research and innovation focusing on the development of strategies to expand accessibility and promote participation in rehabilitation and exercise programs for people with disabilities. Here, we discuss how cutting-edge technologies related to telecommunications, wearables, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing are providing new opportunities to improve accessibility in rehabilitation and exercise for people with disabilities. In addition, we highlight new frontiers in digital health technology and emerging lines of scientific research that will shape the future of precision care strategies for people with disabilities.