Background Coronary heart disease is rapidly increasing in developing countries, but access to cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention remains low. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of a smartphone-based cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention programme delivered via the social media platform WeChat (SMART-CR/SP). Methods In this parallel-group, single-blind, randomised controlled trial, we recruited patients aged 18 years or older with coronary heart disease who had received percutaneous coronary interventions from a large tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) by block randomisation to either a 2-month intensive programme followed by a 4-month step-down phase of SMART-CR/SP or to usual care. In the SMART-CR/SP group, participants received comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention via WeChat. The usual care group received standard outpatient cardiology follow-up but without formal cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention. Assessments were done at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary outcome was change in functional capacity from baseline, measured by 6-min walk distance, at 2 months and 6 months. Analysis was by intention to treat. Research personnel involved in assessments were blinded to group allocation. Adverse-event analysis was based on percentage of patients who discontinued the study owing to adverse events. SMART-CR/SP programme-related safety issues were also recorded. This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, number ChiCTR-INR-16009598.

Preventing declines in cerebral blood flow is important for maintaining optimal brain health with aging. We compared the effects of a morning bout of moderate-intensity exercise, with and without subsequent light-intensity walking breaks from sitting, on cerebral blood velocity over 8 h in older adults. In a randomized crossover trial, overweight/obese older adults ( n = 12, 70 ± 7 yr; 30.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2), completed three acute conditions (6-day washout); SIT: prolonged sitting (8 h, control); EX+SIT: sitting (1 h), moderate-intensity walking (30 min), followed by uninterrupted sitting (6.5 h); and EX + BR: sitting (1 h), moderate-intensity walking (30 min), followed by sitting (6.5 h) interrupted with 3 min of light-intensity walking every 30 min. Bilateral middle cerebral artery velocities (MCAv) were determined using transcranial Doppler at 13 time points across the day. The temporal pattern and average MCAv over 8 h was determined. The pattern of MCAv over 8 h was a negative linear trend in SIT ( P < 0.001), but a positive quadratic trend in EX + SIT ( P < 0.001) and EX + BR ( P < 0.01). Afternoon time points in SIT were lower than baseline within condition ( P ≤ 0.001 for all). A morning dip in MCAv was observed in EX + SIT and EX + BR ( P < 0.05 relative to baseline), but afternoon time points were not significantly lower than baseline. The average MCAv over 8 h was higher in EX + SIT than SIT ( P = 0.007) or EX + BR ( P = 0.024). Uninterrupted sitting should be avoided, and moderate-intensity exercise should be encouraged for the daily maintenance of cerebral blood flow in older adults. The clinical implications of maintaining adequate cerebral blood flow include the delivery of vital oxygen and nutrients to the brain. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to measure the combined effects of an exercise bout with breaks in sitting on cerebral blood velocity in older adults. Using frequent recordings over an 8-h period, we have performed a novel analysis of the pattern of cerebral blood velocity, adjusting for concurrent measures of mean arterial pressure and other potential confounders in a linear mixed effects regression.

IntroductionThe burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is rapidly increasing in developing countries, however access to cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention (CR/SP) in these countries is limited. Alternative delivery models that are low-cost and easy to access are urgently needed to address this service gap. The objective of this study is to investigate whether a smartphone and social media-based (WeChat) home CR/SP programme can facilitate risk factor monitoring and modification to improve disease self-management and health outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) therapy.Methods and analysisWe propose a single-blind, randomised controlled trial of 300 patients post-PCI with follow-up over 12 months. The intervention group will receive a smartphone-based and WeChat-based CR/SP programme providing education and support for risk factor monitoring and modification. SMART-CR/SP incorporates core components of modern CR/SP: physical activity tracking with interactive feedback and goal setting; education modules addressing CHD understanding and self-management; remote blood pressure monitoring and strategies to improve medication adherence. Furthermore, a dedicated data portal and a CR/SP coach will facilitate individualised supervision and counselling. The control group will receive usual care but no formal CR/SP programme. The primary outcome is change in exercise capacity measured by 6 minute walk test distance. Secondary outcomes include knowledge and awareness of CHD, risk factor status, medication adherence, psychological well-being and quality of life, major cardiovascular events, re-hospitalisations and all-cause mortality. To assess the feasibility and patients’ acceptance of the intervention, a process evaluation will be performed at the conclusion of the study.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted by both the Human Research Ethics Committee of Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital (HREC B2016-058) and Curtin University Human Research Ethics Office (HRE2016-0120). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences.Clinical trial registration numberChiCTR-INR-16009598; Pre-results.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of 8 weeks of upright water-based exercise training in people with type 2 diabetes.Methods: Thirteen participants with type 2 diabetes (54% male; 60.9 ± 9.6 years, mean ± standard deviation) completed eight weeks of upright water-based exercise training at a moderate intensity (60-80% of exercise test-derived maximum heart rate), for one hour, three times a week (TG). Fourteen participants (64% male; 63.9 ± 9.8 years) acted as a control group (CG) who maintained their usual activities. Pre-and post-intervention, participants performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine VO2peak and one-repetition maximum testing to assess muscular strength. Blood profiles were assessed with standard assays. Body mass index and waist:hip ratio were employed as measures of anthropometry.Endothelium dependent (brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD)) and independent (GTN mediated) function were assessed using vascular ultrasound. Results:Water-based training increased VO2peak (18.5 ± 4.3 to 21.5 ± 5.4 ml.kg-1.min-1) (p=0.002), overall muscle strength (123 ± 44 to 139 ± 43kg) and leg strength (92 ± 28 to 104 ± 29kg), compared with the CG (p=0.001). The effect on pectoral strength (31 ± 17 to 35 ± 16kg) was not significantly different to the CG (24 ± 12 to 26 ± 14kg) (p=0.08). No change was observed in anthropometry, blood profiles, or GTN mediated vascular function. FMD was increased following training (6.1 ± 2.4 to 6.5 ± 3.0%), compared with controls who demonstrated a slight decrease (6.2 ± 1.6 to 5.4 ± 1.6%) (p=0.002). Conclusion:Water-based circuit training was well tolerated and appears to be an effective exercise modality for improving aerobic fitness, strength and vascular function in people with type 2 diabetes.

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