RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Web-based cardiac REhabilitatioN alternative for those declining or dropping out of conventional rehabilitation: results of the WREN feasibility randomised controlled trial
JF Open Heart
JO Open Heart
FD British Cardiovascular Society
SP e000860
DO 10.1136/openhrt-2018-000860
VO 5
IS 2
A1 Linzy Houchen-Wolloff
A1 Nikki Gardiner
A1 Reena Devi
A1 Noelle Robertson
A1 Kate Jolly
A1 Tom Marshall
A1 Gill Furze
A1 Patrick Doherty
A1 Ala Szczepura
A1 John Powell
A1 Sally Singh
YR 2018
UL http://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/2/e000860.abstract
AB Introduction Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is typically delivered in hospital-based classes and is recommended to help people reduce their risk of further cardiac events. However, many eligible people are not completing the programme. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering a web-based CR intervention for those who decline/drop out from usual CR.Intervention A web-based CR programme for 6 months, facilitated with remote support.Methods Two-centre, randomised controlled feasibility trial. Patients were randomly allocated to web-based CR/usual care for 6 months. Data were collected to inform the design of a larger study: recruitment rates, quality of life (MacNew), exercise capacity (incremental shuttle walk test) and mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Feasibility of health utility collection was also evaluated.Results 60 patients were randomised (90% male, mean age 62±9 years, 26% of those eligible). 82% completed all three assessment visits. 78% of the web group completed the programme. Quality of life improved in the web group by a clinically meaningful amount (0.5±1.1 units vs 0.2±0.7 units: control). Exercise capacity improved in both groups but mood did not change in either group. It was feasible to collect health utility data.Conclusions It was feasible to recruit and retention to the end of the study was good. The web group reported important improvements in quality of life. This intervention has the opportunity to increase access to CR for patients who would otherwise not attend. Promising outcomes and recruitment suggest feasibility for a full-scale trial.Trial registration number 10726798.