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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Directly Measured Physical Function in Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Jason L Rengo1, Patrick D Savage, Joan C Shaw
1Division of Cardiology, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington (Messrs Rengo and Savage, Ms Shaw, and Dr Ades); and University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington (Dr Ades).
Older adults in cardiac rehabilitation with low physical function scores showed significant improvements in gait speed and leg strength after the program. These gains, measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), indicate enhanced mobility for at-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a validated tool for assessing physical function and predicting disability risk in older adults.
- Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs serve a significant proportion of older adults (≥65 years), many with compromised aerobic capacity and elevated disability risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of CR in improving physical function, as measured by the SPPB, in older adults entering the program.
- To identify predictors of baseline SPPB scores in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study evaluated 196 patients aged 65+ entering CR using the SPPB.
- Data collected included age, self-reported physical function (SF-36), and peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak).
- Measures were reassessed upon CR completion for patients who finished the program.
Main Results:
- At baseline, the average SPPB score was 9.7/12. A total of 133 patients completed the program, showing a mean SPPB improvement of 0.8 points, which was not clinically significant.
- However, in the subgroup with low baseline SPPB scores (≤9), 45 patients demonstrated significant improvements in gait speed, chair-stand, and total SPPB score.
- Low baseline SPPB scores were predicted by lower measured VO2peak and self-reported physical function.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac rehabilitation can lead to significant improvements in physical function for older adults entering with low SPPB scores.
- These improvements are primarily driven by enhanced gait speed and leg strength (chair-stand ability).
- The findings highlight the potential of CR to mitigate physical disability risk in this vulnerable population.
