Cardiac Rehabilitation Facebook Intervention: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Behavioral Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Cardiac rehabilitation adherence is often low.
• Social media may enhance motivation and adherence.
• No prior Facebook interventions for cardiac rehabilitation were found in literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Facebook Intervention (Chat).
• To determine Chat's effect on exercise motivation and need satisfaction.
• To evaluate Chat's impact on cardiac rehabilitation adherence.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-3 and Psychological Need Satisfaction for Exercise.
• Intervention included educational, supportive posts, and peer interaction.
• Feasibility assessed via recruitment, engagement, and acceptability.

Main Results:

• Higher baseline motivation and improved autonomy satisfaction correlated with more completed sessions.
• Facebook group engagement included 210 "likes" and 157 "hits".
• High acceptability scores for feeling supported (4.6) and connected to providers (4.4).

Conclusions:

• The Chat Facebook group demonstrated high acceptability.
• Intervention feasibility could not be confirmed due to limited sample size.
• Initial motivation is crucial for cardiac rehabilitation completion.