RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effects of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation on functional capacity in a middle-income country: a randomised controlled trial
JF Heart
JO Heart
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society
SP 406
OP 413
DO 10.1136/heartjnl-2018-313632
VO 105
IS 5
A1 Gabriela Suellen da Silva Chaves
A1 Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi
A1 Sherry L Grace
A1 Paul Oh
A1 Antonio L Ribeiro
A1 Raquel R Britto
YR 2019
UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/105/5/406.abstract
AB Objective Despite the growing epidemic of cardiovascular diseases in middle-income countries, there is insufficient evidence about cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in these countries. Thus, the effects of comprehensive CR on functional capacity and risk factors were investigated in Brazil, to test the hypothesis that it results in better outcomes than exercise-only or no CR.Methods Single-blinded, randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms: comprehensive CR (exercise+education) versus exercise-only CR versus wait-list control. Eligible coronary patients were randomised in blocks of four with 1:1:1 concealed allocation. Participants randomised to exercise-only CR received 36 exercise classes; comprehensive CR group also received 24 educational sessions. The primary outcome was incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) distance; secondary outcomes were cardiovascular risk factors. All outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6 months later. Analysis of covariance was performed on the basis of intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol.Results 115 (88.5%) patients were randomised; 93 (80.9%) were retained. There were improvements in ISWT distance from pretest to post-test with comprehensive (from 358.4±132.6 to 464.8±121.6 m; mean change=106.4; p<0.001) and exercise-only (from 391.5±118.8 to 488.1±106.3 m; mean change=96.5, p<0.001) CR, with significantly greater functional capacity with comprehensive CR versus control (ITT: mean difference=75.6±30.7 m, 95% CI 1.4 to 150.2). There were also reductions in systolic blood pressure with comprehensive CR (ITT: reduction of 6.2±17.8 mm Hg, p=0.04). There were no significant differences for other outcomes.Conclusion Results showed clinically significant improvements in functional capacity and blood pressure with CR, and significantly greater functional capacity with comprehensive CR compared with usual care.Trial registration number NCT02575976; Results.