Remote maintenance cardiac rehabilitation (MAINTAIN): A protocol for a randomised feasibility study.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Digital Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Long-term exercise adherence is a challenge for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients post-cardiac rehabilitation.
• Supervised, center-based programs often result in poor adherence after completion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of a remotely delivered cardiac rehabilitation intervention using wearable technology.
• To support long-term exercise and physical activity adherence in patients with CHD.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 30 CHD participants.
• Intervention group received personalized exercise prescription via wearable device with biometric feedback, monitoring, and text messages for 6 months.
• Feasibility outcomes included eligibility, recruitment, adherence, and acceptability; secondary outcomes assessed exercise capacity, physical activity, cardiovascular risk, and quality of life.

Main Results:

• The study will evaluate feasibility metrics and secondary outcomes related to exercise, physical activity, and quality of life.
• Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews will explore participant acceptability of the remote intervention.

Conclusions:

• The MAINTAIN study will inform a future definitive RCT on remote mHealth maintenance exercise programs for CHD patients.
• This research aims to establish the viability of technology-assisted, long-term cardiac rehabilitation maintenance.