Summary of study characteristics
| Characteristic | Number of studies (%) or median (range) |
| Multicentre randomised controlled trial | 10 (25) |
| Exercise only | 17 (42.5) |
| Cardiac rehabilitation location | |
| Home based | 10 (25) |
| Centre based | 23 (57.5) |
| Both | 7 (17.5) |
| Sample size | 89.5 (19–1813) |
| <50 | 10 (25) |
| 51–100 | 14 (35) |
| >100 | 16 (40) |
| Publication date | |
| 1970–1979 | 1 (2.5) |
| 1980–1989 | 5 (12.5) |
| 1990–1999 | 12 (30) |
| 2000–2009 | 10 (25) |
| 2010–2017 | 12 (30) |
| Study location | |
| Europe | 25 (62.5) |
| North America | 10 (25) |
| Asia/Australia | 5 (12.5) |
| Sex | |
| Male only | 6 (15) |
| Female only | 1 (2.5) |
| Both | 32 (80) |
| Not reported | 1 (2.5) |
| Age (years)* | 58.3 (47–81) |
| Diagnosis | |
| Coronary heart disease | 28 (70) |
| Heart failure | 10 (25) |
| Both | 2 (5) |
| Follow-up (months) | 12 (1.5–120) |
*Median of study means.