Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Physical Fitness, Physical Function, and Self-reported Outcomes in Patients ≥80
Madeleine Brosved1, Geir Hirlekar, Julia Philip Wigh
1Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden (Mss Brosved, Philip Wigh, and Sundberg and Drs Zidén and Bäck); Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden (Drs Hirlekar, Albertsson, and Bäck and Mr Karlsson); and Department of Health and Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden (Dr Zidén).
Purpose:
The beneficial effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are well known, but patients ≥80 yr have been less studied. The aim was to evaluate the effects of CR on patients with ACS ≥80 yr on peak cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical function, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) compared with a control group.
Methods:
A total of 26 patients with ACS, median age 82 (81, 84) yr, were randomized to hospital-based CR combined with a home-based exercise program (CR group) or to a control group (C) for 4 mo. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 4 mo and included the peak CRF (primary outcome), 6-min walk test (6MWT), muscle endurance, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), one-leg stand test, and PROMs.
Results:
There were no significant differences between the groups in peak CRF. The CR group improved significantly in terms of the 6MWT ( P = .04), isotonic muscle endurance ( P < .001), one-leg stand test ( P = .001), SPPB total score ( P =.03), Activities-specific Balance Confidence ( P =.01), and anxiety ( P =.03), as compared with C. There were no significant intergroup differences in the TUG, the self-reported health question or depression.
Conclusions:
Patients with ACS ≥80 yr improved in walking distance, muscle endurance, physical function, and PROMs, but not in peak CRF, by participating in a CR program. These results suggest an increased referral to CR for this growing group of patients to enable preserved mobility and independence in daily living, but this needs to be confirmed in larger studies.
More Related Videos
12:59Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
07:10Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
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...