Table 1

Summary of included studies

StudyParticipants (number and diagnosis)InterventionsOutcomesFollow-upSubgroup analysesCountry/setting
Arthur et al32242 post-CABG surgeryHome-based vs centre-basedPrimary: exercise capacity (METs). Secondary: HRQoL (SF-36), cardiac morbidity, mortality6 and 18 months and 6 years postrandomisationNoneCanada, single centre
Bell (JM Bell. Thesis submitted to the University of London for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 1998)252 post-MIHome-based (Heart Manual) vs centre-basedPrimary: exercise capacity (METs) Secondary: total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, HRQoL (NHP), smoking, mortality, readmission rate, use of primary care services16 and 48 weeks postrandomisation (20 and 50 weeks post-MI)NoneUK, 5 district hospitals
Carlson et al3380 coronary artery bypass, angioplasty, MI, angiographically confirmed CHDHome-based vs centre-basedPrimary: peak functional capacity (METs), LDL cholesterol
Secondary: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, cardiovascular medications, costs, adherence (exercise sessions attended)		6 months postrandomisationNoneUSA, single hospital centre
Cowie et al2360 NYHA class II/III patients with post-HFHome-based vs centre-based vs usual care controlExercise capacity (shuttle walk test), HFQoL (SF-36 and MLHFQ)*8 weeksNoneUK, single centre
Dalal et al34104 post-MIHome-based (Heart Manual) vs centre-basedPrimary: quality of life (MacNew questionnaire), total cholesterol
Secondary: exercise capacity (METs), self-reported smoking, cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, secondary prevention medication use		9 months postrandomisationNoneUK, single centre
Daskapan et al3529 patients with HFHome-based vs centre-basedExercise capacity (mL/kg/min), resting blood pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, adherence, dropouts, mortality*12 weeks postrandomisationNoneTurkey, single centre
Gordon et al30155 coronary artery disease (MI and/or CABG and/or PTCA and/or chronic stable angina)Supervised home vs community home vs centre-basedMaximal oxygen uptake, blood pressure, fasting serum lipids, self-reported smoking status, rehospitalisation, adherence (completion of appointments)*12 weeks postrandomisationChanges reported for all patients and for patients with baseline values defined as abnormalUSA, single centre
Jolly et al36525 patients with post-MI, post-PTCA and post-CABGHome-based (Heart Manual) vs centre-basedPrimary: serum cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, exercise capacity (ISWT), smoking (cotinine-validated)
Secondary: quality of life (EQ-5D), health service usage (hospital readmissions, primary care visits, medication), mortality, cardiovascular events, costs		6, 12 and 24 monthsYes—‘interaction terms between these factors (diagnosis (MI/revascularisation), age, sex and ethnicity) and rehabilitation setting were included to investigate possible differences in treatment effect between subgroups of patients’.UK, 4 hospital centres
Karapolat et al2474 patients with HFHome-based vs centre-basedExercise capacity, quality of life (SF-36)*8 weeksNoneTurkey, single centre
Kassaian et al37125 patients with post-MI and/or post-CABGHome-based vs centre-basedSystolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate (all resting and submaximal), functional capacity (METs), BMI, cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL, triglyceride)*12 weeks postrandomisationComparison of functional capacity, submaximal systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate in patients with left ventricular dysfunction vs good functionIran, single centre
Marchionni et al38180 patients with post-MIHome-based vs centre-basedPrimary: TWC
Secondary: HRQoL (SIP), mortality, morbidity (cardiovascular events), healthcare usage (medical visits, rehospitalisations), costs, adherence (number of completed training sessions)		2, 8 and 14 months postrandomisationSubgroup analysis by age (years)—middle-aged (45–65), old (65–75), very old (>75)Italy, single hospital centre
Miller et al29127 patients with post-MIHome-based vs centre-basedExercise capacity, mortality, cardiovascular morbidity*23 weeks postrandomisationResults reported according to 2 subgroups—brief vs extended exercise trainingUSA, single hospital centre
Moholdt et al4130 patients with post-CABGHome-based vs centre-based (residential rehabilitation)Primary: peak oxygen consumption
Secondary: HRQoL, cholesterol (total, HDL and triglycerides)		6 months postrandomisationNoneNorway, single hospital centre
Oerkild et al4275 coronary heart disease (acute MI, PTCA or CABG)Home-based vs centre-basedPrimary: exercise capacity (VO2 and 6MWT)
Secondary: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL and LDL), smoking, HRQoL (SF-12)		3 and 12 monthsNoneDenmark, single centre
Piotrowicz et al25152 patients with HF (NYHA class II and III)Home-based (telemonitored) vs centre-based (outpatient)Exercise capacity (6MWT), quality of life (SF-36), mortality, hospitalisation*8 weeksNonePoland, single centre
Sparks et al3920 post-MI, PTCA or CABGHome-based vs centre-basedExercise capacity (peak VO2 max), adherence (compliance with exercise), safety (dropout)*12 weeks postrandomisationNoneUSA, single hospital centre
Wu et al4036 patients with post-CABGHome-based vs centre-basedExercise capacity (METs)*12 weeks postrandomisationNoneTaiwan (China), single centre

  • *Primary and secondary outcomes not distinguished.

  • 6MWT, 6 min walk test; BMI, body mass index; CABG, coronary artery bypass graft; CHD, coronary heart disease; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HF, heart failure; HRQoL, health-related quality of life; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; MI, myocardial infarction; MET, metabolic equivalent; MLHFQ, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire; NHP, Nottingham Health Profile; NYHA, New York Heart Association; PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; SF-12, 12-item Short Form Health Survey; SF-36, 36-item Short Form Health Survey SIP, Sickness Impact Profile; TWC, total work capacity.