Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Maintaining positive outcomes from cardiac rehabilitation Phase II (CR II) is challenging.
• Barriers to sustained physical activity and risk factor management in CR maintenance (CR III) are known.
• Research supports CR II outcomes up to 12 months, but long-term maintenance requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the sustained clinical, quality-of-life (QOL), and behavioral outcomes 6 months after CR II completion.
• To explore participants' experiences, including barriers and facilitators, in maintaining health post-CR II.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal, explanatory sequential study design.
• 155 participants completed reassessments and an online survey.
• Statistical analysis included MANOVA and summative content analysis.

Main Results:

• Participants sustained behavioral outcomes like physical activity, tobacco status, diet, and QOL.
• Clinical outcomes such as weight, blood pressure, and depression worsened or returned to pre-CR II levels.
• Participants identified exercise, weight management, diet, QOL, family, and friends as key motivators and concerns.

Conclusions:

• Innovative strategies integrated into CR II are crucial for extending benefits into CR III.
• Digital technology, eHealth, and structured behavioral weight loss interventions can enhance long-term maintenance.
• Developing robust support systems and tools before program completion is essential for initiating maintenance care.