Comparing the Effectiveness of 2 Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Therapy Programs

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Preventive Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death in Canada.
• Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is vital for cardiovascular care.
• Existing CR programs vary significantly in structure and delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of two distinct CR programs.
• To compare patient outcomes between a hybrid and traditional CR model.
• To inform future CR program design and funding.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of peak metabolic equivalents achieved in two CR programs.
• Evaluation of an 8-week hybrid CR program (weekly in-person sessions + home program).
• Comparison against a 5-week traditional CR program (biweekly in-person sessions).

Main Results:

• The hybrid CR program yielded patient outcomes comparable to the traditional CR program.
• Peak metabolic equivalents were similar between the two program models.
• This suggests the hybrid model is a viable alternative for CR delivery.

Conclusions:

• The hybrid CR program offers a potentially effective alternative to traditional models.
• Findings may help reduce barriers to CR participation and enhance long-term effectiveness.
• This research can guide the structuring and funding of future cardiac rehabilitation initiatives.