There was no significant between group difference in six-minute walk test distance .
Conclusions Our meta- analysis showed WPAM with exercise prescription or advice are superior to no device in improving CRF in the maintenance phase of CR and no cardiac adverse events were reported with WPAM use .
Our qualitative analysis showed evidence in favour of WPAM with exercise prescription or advice for both CRF and step count .
WPAM with exercise prescription or advice did not change sedentary time .
Background Physical activity ( PA ) is a component of cardiac rehabilitation ( CR ) .
However , life-long engagement in PA is required to maintain benefits gained .
Wearable PA monitoring devices ( WPAM ) are thought to increase PA .
There appear to be no review s which investigate the effect of WPAM in cardiac population s. We firstly aim ed to systematic ally review r and omised controlled trials within the cardiac population that investigated the effect WPAM had through the maintenance phase of CR .
We specifically examined the effect on cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) , amount and intensity of daily PA , and sedentary time .
Validity of pedometers for measuring exercise adherence in heart failure patients.
BACKGROUND Measuring adherence to exercise is important to clinicians and research ers because inadequate adherence can adversely affect the effectiveness of an exercise program and cloud the relationship between exercise and clinical outcomes . Hence , assessment strategies for adherence to exercise , as with assessment strategies for other outcomes , must have demonstrated validity if they are to be employed with confidence . We conducted this study to determine the validity of pedometers as a measure of exercise adherence to a home-based walking program in heart failure patients . METHODS AND RESULTS  Exercise adherence  was measured using pedometers in 38 patients ( 74 % men ) age 54.1 + /- 11.7 years who participated in a 12-month home-based walking program .  A comparison of functional status as measured by the 6-minute walk distance and peak oxygen uptake ( VO2 max ) at 6 months into the exercise training program was made between 2 groups of participants who were thought to represent adherers and nonadherers : participants who demonstrated > or = 10 % change in pedometer scores ( n = 20 ) and those who showed no change in pedometer scores ( n = 18 ) from baseline to 6 months . Patients who showed improvements in their pedometer scores over 6 months had better functional status at 6 months ( 6-minute walk distance 1718 + /- 46 versus 1012 + /- 25 meters , F = 5.699 , P = .022 ; VO 2 max 17 + /- 0.7 versus 10 + /- 0.5 units , F = 7.162 , P = .011 ) when compared with patients whose pedometers reflected minimal change in distance walked ( ie , < or = 10 % ) . CONCLUSION Pedometers are inexpensive and readily available to both clinicians and research ers . The results of this study suggest that they may be a valid indicator of exercise adherence in heart failure patients who participate in a home-based walking program
There was no significant between group difference in six-minute walk test distance .
Conclusions Our meta- analysis showed WPAM with exercise prescription or advice are superior to no device in improving CRF in the maintenance phase of CR and no cardiac adverse events were reported with WPAM use .
Our qualitative analysis showed evidence in favour of WPAM with exercise prescription or advice for both CRF and step count .
WPAM with exercise prescription or advice did not change sedentary time .
Background Physical activity ( PA ) is a component of cardiac rehabilitation ( CR ) .
However , life-long engagement in PA is required to maintain benefits gained .
Wearable PA monitoring devices ( WPAM ) are thought to increase PA .
There appear to be no review s which investigate the effect of WPAM in cardiac population s. We firstly aim ed to systematic ally review r and omised controlled trials within the cardiac population that investigated the effect WPAM had through the maintenance phase of CR .
We specifically examined the effect on cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) , amount and intensity of daily PA , and sedentary time .