Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Accelerating the return to work (RTW) chances of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients: part 1--development and
A Mital1, D E Shrey, M Govindaraju
1Ergonomics and Engineering Controls Research Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221-0116, USA. anil.mital@uc.edu
Purpose:
Conventional phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes have not resulted in an improvement in returning coronary heart disease (CHD) patients to work in over 35 years. This 4 year field-initiated research, sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, compares conventional CR programmes with a low-intensity CR programme that simulates elements of work (job-simulated CR programme) in terms of return to work (RTW) and physiological conditioning. The effect of training on physical capabilities of patients participating in the job-simulated CR programme was also of equal interest.
Method:
Thirty patients (15 bypass and 15 angioplasty; 15 males and 15 females) participated in a conventional CR programme (control group). The job-simulated CR programme included 15 male and 2 female bypass and angioplasty patients (experimental group). Patients in the control group underwent regular aerobic exercise training (treadmill and bicycle). Experimental group patients participated in a series of low-intensity exercises such as progressive time exercises, flexibility exercises, and dexterity exercises.
Results:
All patients participating in the low-intensity job-simulated CR programme returned to the same job they held at the onset of myocardial infarction (MI). In contrast, only 60% of the control group patients returned to work; at least one-third of these did not go back to the same job they held at the onset of M1. Patients in both groups achieved the same level of physiological conditioning. The physical functional capabilities of the experimental group patients improved significantly throughout training.
Conclusion:
The results of this field-study lead to the conclusion that a low-intensity phase II cardiac rehabilitation programme that simulates elements of work may be far superior to conventional endurance exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes in terms of returning patients to work. Such a programme also strengthens patients, improving their physical capabilities, without compromising their physiological conditioning.
More Related Videos
07:40Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training
Published on: October 10, 2019
08:27A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement
Published on: February 22, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:20Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care