Factors Predicting the Utilization of Center-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) significantly improves physical function and reduces heart disease progression.
• However, substantial numbers of eligible patients do not complete prescribed CR programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of completion for center-based CR programs among eligible cardiac patients.
• To identify key predictors associated with CR program completion or dropout.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of electronic medical records from 685 eligible cardiac patients.
• Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were used to identify predictors.
• Data included psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, quality of life), age, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Main Results:

• Overall CR completion rate was 61.4%; 31.7% dropped out, and 6.9% failed to initiate.
• Key predictors for non-completion included older age, obesity, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life.
• Patients completing CR demonstrated improved strength, flexibility, six-minute walk distance, knowledge, and quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Older, obese patients, and those with depression, anxiety, or low quality of life are less likely to complete CR.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve CR adherence in at-risk populations.