Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Participation in community-based exercise maintenance programs after completion of hospital-based cardiac
Alexander M Clark1, Claire Mundy, Sonnda Catto
1University of Alberta, Edmonton, Ontario, Canada.
Objective:
To understand the characteristics associated with participation in community-based exercise maintenance programs in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after completion of hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation in Scotland.
Methods:
A mixed-methods approach was used (survey and focus groups) to explore determinants of participation in community-based exercise maintenance programs.
Results:
Of 112 patients (67% male), 81 patients responded (73% response rate). Knowledge was high of the importance (19.2%) or high importance (75.6%) of physical activity to cardiac health. However, the focus groups identified that use of community-based exercise maintenance programs was affected by personal confidence, perceived meaningful support for people with CHD, and suitability of exercises to CHD patients.
Conclusions:
Decisions regarding the use of community-based exercise maintenance programs after hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation appear to be impacted by a range of factors linked to the views of exercise, confidence, and suitability of the program regimen to the individual with CHD.
