Exploring the effects of real-time online cardiac telerehabilitation using wearable devices compared to gym-based cardiac exercise in people with a recent myocardial infarction: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundExercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a non-pharmacological multidisciplinary programme for individuals after myocardial infarction (MI) that offers multiple health benefits. One of the greatest barriers to CR participation is the travel distance to the rehabilitation centre. Remotely monitored CR appears to be at least as effective in improving cardiovascular risk factors and exercise capacity as traditional centre-based CR. Nevertheless, the efficacy of remotely monitored CR in individuals with a recent MI has yet to be examined.MethodsA total of 30 individuals (8 women, 22 men) after a recent (i.e., <4 weeks) MI were randomly allocated into two groups (online home-based and gym-based groups). Both groups underwent a 26-week CR programme three times per week. All patients performed baseline and 24-week follow-up measurements where peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), mean daily steps, distance, and calories were assessed.ResultsThe online group showed an improvement in mean daily steps (p < 0.05) and mean daily distance (p < 0.05) at 24 weeks compared to the gym-based group. The paired-sample t-test showed that all the assessed variables were statistically (p < 0.001) improved for both groups at 24 weeks. Pearson's r demonstrated positive correlations between VO2peak and mean daily distance (r = 0.375), and negative correlations between VO2peak and muscle (r = −0.523) and fat masses (r = −0.460). There were no exercise-induced adverse events during the study.ConclusionOur findings might indicate that a real-time online supervised CR exercise programme using wearable technology to monitor the haemodynamic responses in post-MI patients is equally effective as a gym-based exercise programme

Exploring the effects of real-time online cardiac telerehabilitation using wearable devices compared to gym-based cardiac exercise in people with a recent myocardial infarction: a randomised controlled trial

Background: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a non-pharmacological multidisciplinary programme for individuals after myocardial infarction (MI) that offers multiple health benefits. One of the greatest barriers to CR participation is the travel distance to the rehabilitation centre. Remotely monitored CR appears to be at least as effective in improving cardiovascular risk factors and exercise capacity as traditional centre-based CR. Nevertheless, the efficacy of remotely monitored CR in individuals with a recent MI has yet to be examined. Methods: A total of 30 individuals (8 women, 22 men) after a recent (i.e., <4 weeks) MI were randomly allocated into two groups (online home-based and gym-based groups). Both groups underwent a 26-week CR programme three times per week. All patients performed baseline and 24-week follow-up measurements where peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), mean daily steps, distance, and calories were assessed. Results: The online group showed an improvement in mean daily steps (p < 0.05) and mean daily distance (p < 0.05) at 24 weeks compared to the gym-based group. The paired-sample t-test showed that all the assessed variables were statistically (p < 0.001) improved for both groups at 24 weeks. Pearson's r demonstrated positive correlations between VO2peak and mean daily distance (r = 0.375), and negative correlations between VO2peak and muscle (r = −0.523) and fat masses (r = −0.460). There were no exercise-induced adverse events during the study. Conclusion: Our findings might indicate that a real-time online supervised CR exercise programme using wearable technology to monitor the haemodynamic responses in post-MI patients is equally effective as a gym-based exercise programme

Right Ventricular Morphology and Function after Exercise Training in People with Systemic Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Background: Vascular dysfunction and its concomitant multi-organ involvement, including cardiac involvement, affects prognosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Regular exercise has demonstrated to be able to improve vascular function in SSc. However, the effects of an exercise program on the heart and specifically in right ventricular (RV) morphology and function in SSc have yet to be explored. The study aimed to examine whether a 3-month combined exercise program can affect RV morphology and function in SSc patients. Methods: Twenty-eight SSc patients were randomly allocated to either the exercise training (ET) or the control (CON) group. Baseline and follow-up assessments consisted of a cardiopulmonary exercise test along with both a conventional and a two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) focused on RV morphology and function. Following the baseline assessments, Group ET participated in a supervised combined exercise program for 12 weeks, while group CON received their usual care. Results: The ET group demonstrated increases in peak oxygen consumption by 25.1% (p &lt; 0.001), global RV free wall longitudinal systolic strain by 6.69% (p &lt; 0.03), RV free wall longitudinal systolic strain of the basal segment by 13.5% (p &lt; 0.001), and global RV four-chamber longitudinal systolic strain by 6.76% (p &lt; 0.03) following the exercise program. No differences were observed in group CON. Conclusions: Combined exercise improved cardiorespiratory efficiency and indices of RV systolic function, as assessed by the 2DSTE, in SSc patients

Identification of good practices in long-term exercise-based rehabilitation programs in stroke patients

Physical activity is an important factor for primary and secondary stroke prevention. The process of stroke rehabilitation includes early and late physical activity and exercise, which prevents further stoke and improve patients' quality of life. MY WAY project, an ERASMUS+ SPORT program, is aimed at analyzing and developing or transferring best innovative practices related to physical activity and exercise enhancing health in poststroke patients. The aim of the study was to identify, analyze, and present the good practices and strategies to encourage participation in sport and physical activity and engage and motivate chronic stroke patients to perform physical activity changing their lifestyle and to maintain a high adherence to long-term exercise-based rehabilitation programs. Our results demonstrated that unified European stroke long-term exercise-based rehabilitation guidelines do not exist. It seems that low training frequency with high aerobic exercise intensity may be optimal for improved physical performance and quality of life in combination with a high adherence. It is important to optimize the training protocols suitable for each patient. The continuous education and training of the specialized professionals in this field and the presence of adequate structures and cooperation between different healthcare centers are important contributors. The clear objective for each country should be to systematically make the necessary steps to enhance overall exercise-based stroke rehabilitation attendance in the long term. Long-term interventions to support the importance of physical exercise and lifelong exercise-based rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients should be created, what coincides with the goal of the MY WAY project