Conclusions HB exercise is slightly more effective than CB rehabilitation in terms of maintaining EC .
Background Exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation ( CR ) improves exercise capacity ( EC ) , lowers cardiovascular risk profile and increases physical functioning in the short term .
However , uptake of and adherence to a physically active lifestyle in the long run remain problematic .
Home-based ( HB ) exercise programmes have been introduced in an attempt to enhance long-term adherence to recommended levels of physical activity ( PA ) .
The current systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to compare the longer-term effects of HB exercise programmes with usual care ( UC ) or centre-based ( CB ) CR in patients referred for CR .
Comparative outcome one year after formal cardiac rehabilitation: the effects of a randomized intervention to improve exercise adherence
Background Methods to ensure sustained benefits of cardiac rehabilitation need to be explored . The aim was to assess the effect of a home-based intervention ( INT ) on exercise adherence and risk factors after cardiac rehabilitation . Design Prospect i ve r and omized study . Methods We evaluated patients who were followed for 1 year after either inpatient ( ICR ) or outpatient cardiac rehabilitation ( OCR ) by assessment of exercise capacity , physical activity , risk factors and quality of life  , both at the completion of rehabilitation , and after 1 year . Patients were r and omized to either be instructed how to use a diary of physical activities complemented by quarterly group meetings ( INT ) or to receive st and ard treatment ( usual care ) . Results Two hundred and sixty-one patients gave consent to be reevaluated after 1 year . Of these patients 33 were lost to follow-up ( two deaths ) ; thus 228 patients had complete 1-year follow-up data ( 195 male and 33 female , 91 % with coronary artery disease ) . At 1-year follow-up significantly more patients of the INT group than of the control group adhered to regular physical activity ( 73 vs. 40 % , P < 0.0001 ) . Moreover , INT patients showed a better evolution of body mass index and lipid values . In a stepwise multiple regression analysis the following variables showed a significant impact on regular physical activity at follow-up : study INT [ odds ratio ( OR ) : 4.19 , P < 0.0001 ] , previous cardiac surgery ( OR : 2.50 , P = 0.008 ) , BMI at baseline ( OR : 0.89 , P = 0.018 ) and quality of life at baseline ( OR : 1.58 , P = 0.041 ) . Conclusion Sustained benefits of cardiac rehabilitation can be documented 1 year after both inpatient and outpatient programmes . Self-monitoring of physical activity greatly increased long-term adherence to regular exercise , which in turn was associated with greater improvements of risk factors and quality of life
Conclusions HB exercise is slightly more effective than CB rehabilitation in terms of maintaining EC .
Background Exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation ( CR ) improves exercise capacity ( EC ) , lowers cardiovascular risk profile and increases physical functioning in the short term .
However , uptake of and adherence to a physically active lifestyle in the long run remain problematic .
Home-based ( HB ) exercise programmes have been introduced in an attempt to enhance long-term adherence to recommended levels of physical activity ( PA ) .
The current systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to compare the longer-term effects of HB exercise programmes with usual care ( UC ) or centre-based ( CB ) CR in patients referred for CR .