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 .
Effects of a 12‐week mHealth program on peak VO2 and physical activity patterns after completing cardiac rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial
Background : Site‐based cardiac rehabilitation  ( CR ) provides supervised exercise , education and motivation for patients . Graduates of CR have improved exercise tolerance . However , when participation in CR ceases , adherence to regular physical activity often declines , consequently leading to worsening risk factors and clinical events . Therefore , the purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate if a mHealth program could sustain the fitness and physical activity levels gained during CR . Methods and Results : A 12‐week mHealth program was implemented using physical activity trackers and health coaching .  Twenty‐five patients were r and omized into mHealth or usual care after completing CR . The combination of a 4.7 ± 13.8 % increase in the mHealth and a 8.5 ± 11.5 % decrease in the usual care group result ed in a difference between groups ( P ≤ .05 ) for absolute peak VO2 . Usual care decreased the amount of moderate‐low physical activity minutes per week ( 117 ± 78 vs 50 ± 53 ; P < .05 ) as well as moderate‐high ( 111 ± 87 vs 65 ± 64 ; P < .05 ) . mHealth increased moderate‐high physical activity ( 138 ± 113 vs 159 ± 156 ; NS ) . The divergent changes between mHealth and usual care in moderate‐high physical activity minutes/week result ed in a difference between groups ( 21 ± 103 vs – 46 ± 36 ; P < .05 ) . Conclusions : A 12‐week mHealth program of physical activity trackers and health coaching following CR graduation can sustain the gains in peak VO2 and physical activity achieved by site‐based CR
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 .