Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation for Coronary Heart Disease: Cochrane Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of death globally. However, with falling CHD mortality rates, an increasing number of people living with CHD may need support to manage their symptoms and prognosis. Exercise‐based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) aims to improve the health and outcomes of people with CHD. This is an update of a Cochrane Review previously published in 2016.

Objectives
To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of exercise‐based CR (exercise training alone or in combination with psychosocial or educational interventions) compared with 'no exercise' control, on mortality, morbidity and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with CHD.

Search methods
We updated searches from the previous Cochrane Review, by searching CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and two other databases in September 2020. We also searched two clinical trials registers in June 2021.

Selection criteria
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise‐based interventions with at least six months’ follow‐up, compared with 'no exercise' control. The study population comprised adult men and women who have had a myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or have angina pectoris, or coronary artery disease.

Data collection and analysis
We screened all identified references, extracted data and assessed risk of bias according to Cochrane methods. We stratified meta‐analysis by duration of follow‐up: short‐term (6 to 12 months); medium‐term (> 12 to 36 months); and long‐term ( > 3 years), and used meta‐regression to explore potential treatment effect modifiers. We used GRADE for primary outcomes at 6 to 12 months (the most common follow‐up time point). 

Main results
This review included 85 trials which randomised 23,430 people with CHD. This latest update identified 22 new trials (7795 participants). The population included predominantly post‐MI and post‐revascularisation patients, with a mean age ranging from 47 to 77 years.

In the last decade, the median percentage of women with CHD has increased from 11% to 17%, but females still account for a similarly small percentage of participants recruited overall ( < 15%). Twenty‐one of the included trials were performed in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Overall trial reporting was poor, although there was evidence of an improvement in quality over the last decade. The median longest follow‐up time was 12 months (range 6 months to 19 years).

At short‐term follow‐up (6 to 12 months), exercise‐based CR likely results in a slight reduction in all‐cause mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73 to 1.04; 25 trials; moderate certainty evidence), a large reduction in MI (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.93; 22 trials; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 75, 95% CI 47 to 298; high certainty evidence), and a large reduction in all‐cause hospitalisation (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.77; 14 trials; NNTB 12, 95% CI 9 to 21; moderate certainty evidence). Exercise‐based CR likely results in little to no difference in risk of cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.14; 15 trials; moderate certainty evidence), CABG (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.27; 20 trials; high certainty evidence), and PCI (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.19; 13 trials; moderate certainty evidence) up to 12 months' follow‐up. We are uncertain about the effects of exercise‐based CR on cardiovascular hospitalisation, with a wide confidence interval including considerable benefit as well as harm (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.59; low certainty evidence). There was evidence of substantial heterogeneity across trials for cardiovascular hospitalisations (I2 = 53%), and of small study bias for all‐cause hospitalisation, but not for all other outcomes.

At medium‐term follow‐up, although there may be little to no difference in all‐cause mortality (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.02; 15 trials), MI (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.27; 12 trials), PCI (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.35; 6 trials), CABG (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.23; 9 trials), and all‐cause hospitalisation (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.03; 9 trials), a large reduction in cardiovascular mortality was found (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.93; 5 trials). Evidence is uncertain for difference in risk of cardiovascular hospitalisation (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.12; 3 trials).

At long‐term follow‐up, although there may be little to no difference in all‐cause mortality (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.10), exercise‐based CR may result in a large reduction in cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.78; 8 trials) and MI (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.90; 10 trials). Evidence is uncertain for CABG (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.27; 4 trials), and PCI (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.20; 3 trials).

Meta‐regression showed benefits in outcomes were independent of CHD case mix, type of CR, exercise dose, follow‐up length, publication year, CR setting, study location, sample size or risk of bias.

There was evidence that exercise‐based CR may slightly increase HRQoL across several subscales (SF‐36 mental component, physical functioning, physical performance, general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health scores) up to 12 months' follow‐up; however, these may not be clinically important differences. The eight trial‐based economic evaluation studies showed exercise‐based CR to be a potentially cost‐effective use of resources in terms of gain in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs).

Authors' conclusions
This updated Cochrane Review supports the conclusions of the previous version, that exercise‐based CR provides important benefits to people with CHD, including reduced risk of MI, a likely small reduction in all‐cause mortality, and a large reduction in all‐cause hospitalisation, along with associated healthcare costs, and improved HRQoL up to 12 months' follow‐up. Over longer‐term follow‐up, benefits may include reductions in cardiovascular mortality and MI. In the last decade, trials were more likely to include females, and be undertaken in LMICs, increasing the generalisability of findings. Well‐designed, adequately‐reported RCTs of CR in people with CHD more representative of usual clinical practice are still needed. Trials should explicitly report clinical outcomes, including mortality and hospital admissions, and include validated HRQoL outcome measures, especially over longer‐term follow‐up, and assess costs and cost‐effectiveness.

/pdf/exercise-based-cardiac-rehabilitation-for-coronary-heart-ctqt9teiud.pdf

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease

The traditional hospital-based model of cardiac rehabilitation faces substantial challenges, such as cost and accessibility. These challenges have led to the development of alternative models of cardiac rehabilitation in recent years. The aim of this study was to identify and critique evidence for the effectiveness of these alternative models. A total of 22 databases were searched to identify quantitative studies or systematic reviews of quantitative studies regarding the effectiveness of alternative models of cardiac rehabilitation. Included studies were appraised using a Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool and the National Health and Medical Research Council's designations for Level of Evidence. The 83 included articles described interventions in the following broad categories of alternative models of care: multifactorial individualized telehealth, internet based, telehealth focused on exercise, telehealth focused on recovery, community- or home-based, and complementary therapies. Multifactorial individualized telehealth and community- or home-based cardiac rehabilitation are effective alternative models of cardiac rehabilitation, as they have produced similar reductions in cardiovascular disease risk factors compared with hospital-based programmes. While further research is required to address the paucity of data available regarding the effectiveness of alternative models of cardiac rehabilitation in rural, remote, and culturally and linguistically diverse populations, our review indicates there is no need to rely on hospital-based strategies alone to deliver effective cardiac rehabilitation. Local healthcare systems should strive to integrate alternative models of cardiac rehabilitation, such as brief telehealth interventions tailored to individual's risk factor profiles as well as community- or home-based programmes, in order to ensure there are choices available for patients that best fit their needs, risk factor profile, and preferences.

Alternative models of cardiac rehabilitation: a systematic review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most-prevalent noncommunicable disease and leading cause of death globally. Over 80% of deaths from CVD occur in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). To limit the socioeconomic impact of CVD, a comprehensive approach to health care is needed. Cardiac rehabilitation delivers a cost-effective and structured exercise, education, and risk reduction programme, which can reduce mortality by up to 25% in addition to improving a patient's functional capacity and lowering rehospitalization rates. Despite these benefits and recommendations in clinical practice guidelines, cardiac rehabilitation programmes are grossly under-used compared with revascularization or medical therapy for patients with CVD. Worldwide, only 38.8% of countries have cardiac rehabilitation programmes. Specifically, 68.0% of high-income and 23% of LMICs (8.3% for low-income and 28.2% for middle-income countries) offer cardiac rehabilitation programmes to patients with CVD. Cardiac rehabilitation density estimates range from one programme per 0.1 to 6.4 million inhabitants. Multilevel strategies to augment cardiac rehabilitation capacity and availability at national and international levels, such as supportive public health policies, systematic referral strategies, and alternative models of delivery are needed.

/pdf/global-availability-of-cardiac-rehabilitation-45h99o8lkm.pdf

Global availability of cardiac rehabilitation

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States.[1][1] Cardiac rehabilitation is an evidence-based, cost-effective, multidisciplinary program of individual patient risk factor assessment and management, exercise training, and psychosocial support for patients with

Using mobile technology for cardiac rehabilitation: a review and framework for development and evaluation.

Patients with coronary heart disease often do not follow prescribed physical activity recommendations. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a behavioural intervention to increase physical activity in patients with coronary heart disease not attending structured cardiac rehabilitation programmes. Parallel randomised controlled trial comparing 6-month multi-component behavioural change intervention (n = 71) with usual care (n = 85) was conducted in two hospitals in Jordan, Middle East. Intervention included one face-to-face individualised consultation, 6 telephone support calls (for goal-setting, feedback and self-monitoring) and 18 reminder text messages. Patients were randomly allocated to the two groups by opening opaque sealed sequence envelopes. The patients and the researcher who provided the intervention and assessed the outcomes were not blinded. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Primary outcome was physical activity level, secondary outcomes were blood pressure, body mass index, exercise self-efficacy for exercise and health-related quality of life. Intervention and control groups were comparable at baseline. Moderate physical activity significantly increased in the intervention group compared with control group (mean change (SD) of frequency: 0.23 (0.87) days/week versus -.06 (0.40); duration: 15.53 (90.15) minutes/week versus −3.67 (22.60) minutes/week; intensity: 31.05 (105.98) Metabolic equivalents (METs) versus 14.68 (90.40) METs). Effect size was 0.03 for moderate PA frequency, 0.02 for moderate PA duration and 0.01 for moderate PA intensity. Walking significantly increased in the intervention group compared with control group (mean change (SD) of frequency: 3.15 (2.75) days/week versus 0.37 (1.83) days/week; duration: 150.90 (124.47) minutes/week versus 24.05 (195.93) minutes/week; intensity: 495.12 (413.74) METs versus14.62 (265.06) METs). Effect size was 0.36 for walking frequency, 0.05 for walking duration, 0.32 for walking intensity and 0.29 for total PA intensity. Intervention participants had significantly lower blood pressure, lower body mass index, greater exercise self-efficacy and better health-related quality of life at 6 months compared with controls. Multi-component behavioural intervention increases physical activity, and improves body composition, physiological and psychological outcomes in CHD patients not attending structured rehabilitation programmes. Current Controlled Trials retrospectively registered in 21-03-2012. ISRCTN48570595
 .

/pdf/behavioural-intervention-to-increase-physical-activity-in-3up7k5fhoz.pdf

Behavioural intervention to increase physical activity in adults with coronary heart disease in Jordan.

https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/preview/1152413/Alsaleh%20et%20al_Behavioural%20intervention%20to%20increase%20physical%20activity%20among%20patients%20%28002%29.pdf

Behavioural intervention to increase physical activity among patients with coronary heart disease: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background Many studies published in other countries have identified certain perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity among patients with coronary heart disease. Nevertheless, there is no data about the issue relating to Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease. Objective This study aimed to describe the prevalence of levels of physical activity, the benefits of and barriers to physical activity as perceived by Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease, and the relationship between physical activity and perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity. In addition, it focused on examining the influence of selected sociodemographic and health characteristics on physical activity and the perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity. Methods A cross-sectional design was performed on a sample of 400 patients with coronary heart disease. They were given a list of perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity and asked to what extent they disagreed or agreed with each. Results Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease perceived various benefits of and barriers to physical activity. Most of these benefits were physiologically related (average mean = 5.7, SD = 0.7). The most substantial barriers to physical activity as perceived by the patients were “feeling anxiety,” “not enough time,” “lack of interest,” “bad weather,” and “feeling of being uncomfortable.” Sociodemographic and health characteristics that significantly influenced perceived barriers to physical activity were age, gender, health perception, chest pain frequency, education, job, caring responsibilities, ability to travel alone, smoking, and previous and current physical activity behavior. Conclusion This study demonstrates that patients with coronary heart disease have perceived physiological benefits of physical activity and have perceived motivational, physical health, and environmental barriers to physical activity, which is significant in developing intervention strategies that aim to maximize patients' participation in physical activity and overcome barriers to physical activity.

/pdf/prevalence-of-physical-activity-levels-and-perceived-3qcfv318.pdf

Prevalence of physical activity levels and perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity among Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease: A cross-sectional study

Physical activity is important for physical and mental health; however, people with a stoma commonly experience a reduction in physical activity following stoma formation. Further research into physical activity levels in people living with a stoma is necessary to determine which factors are associated with engagement in regular physical activity, and with inactivity. Aim The primary aim of this study was to assess physical activity levels in adults living with a stoma in the community. The secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between activity levels, self-efficacy for exercise, perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, depression, body image and stoma-related quality of life. Method A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was sent to healthy individuals living with a urostomy, ileostomy or colostomy, recruited from six stoma support groups in the East Midlands. The primary measure was physical activity levels; secondary measures were self-efficacy for exercise, perceived barriers and benefits to physical activity, depression, body image and stoma-related quality of life. Descriptive analysis of the data was undertaken using a computer analysis package. Results The questionnaire was sent to 116 adults and completed by 94 adults, giving a response rate of 81%. Of the participants who answered the questions on levels of physical activity, 83% ( n =71/86) did not achieve government-recommended levels of physical activity. Less active participants perceived greater barriers to physical activity and had lower self-efficacy for exercise than participants who were more active. Reported physical activity was not associated with body image, depression or stoma-related quality of life. Conclusion Most participants were physically inactive. Interventions that reduce barriers to exercise and support self-efficacy in people with a stoma can assist them to increase their physical activity levels, as well as reducing the risk of chronic disease associated with sedentary lifestyles.

/pdf/assessing-physical-activity-levels-in-people-living-with-a-1volnvs5f9.pdf

Assessing physical activity levels in people living with a stoma.

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Eman Alsaleh

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Behavioural intervention to increase physical activity in adults with coronary heart disease in Jordan.

Behavioural intervention to increase physical activity among patients with coronary heart disease: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Prevalence of physical activity levels and perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity among Jordanian patients with coronary heart disease: A cross-sectional study

Assessing physical activity levels in people living with a stoma.