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Updated: Nov 30, 2025
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Predictors of Exercise Maintenance 6 Months After Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation
Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi1, Mohammad Alavinia, Crystal Aultman
1Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada (Drs Ghisi, Alavinia, and Oh and Ms Aultman); Programme PREV Prévention Secondaire et Réadaptation Cardiovasculaire, Lévis, Canada (Ms Rouleau and Dr Ross); Réseau de santé Vitalité Health Network, Programme Cœur en santé/Cardiac Wellness Program, Moncton, Canada (Mss Dufour-Doiron and Belliveau and Dr Brideau).
Purpose:
The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the effects of a comprehensive education intervention on maintenance of knowledge, exercise behavior, heart-healthy food intake, self-efficacy, and health literacy 6 mo after comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR), and (2) to identify predictors of exercise maintenance 6 mo after comprehensive CR.
Methods:
A prospective longitudinal study was conducted to test the effects of a structured educational curriculum in three CR programs in Canada. Participants completed surveys pre-, post-CR and 6 mo post-discharge to assess knowledge, heart-healthy food intake, self-efficacy, and health literacy. Exercise behavior was measured by number of steps/d using a pedometer.
Results:
One hundred twenty participants completed the final survey. Increases in disease-related knowledge and self-efficacy, as well as behavior changes (increases in exercise and heart-healthy food intake), were achieved in comprehensive CR and sustained 6 mo post-program. Exercise maintenance was predicted by changes in heart-healthy food intake, self-efficacy, health literacy, and exercise-related knowledge.
Conclusions:
In this three-site study focusing on patient education for CR patients in Canada, the benefits of an education intervention in maintaining knowledge, exercise, healthy food intake, and self-efficacy were supported.
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