Evaluating the Interactive Web-Based Program, Activate Your Heart, for Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

BackgroundConventional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are traditionally based on time-constrained, structured, group-based programs, usually set in hospitals or leisure centers. Uptake for CR remains poor, despite the ongoing evidence demonstrating its benefits. Additional alternative forms of CR are needed. An Internet-based approach may offer an alternative mode of delivering CR that may improve overall uptake. Activate Your Heart (AYH) is a Web-based CR program that has been designed to support individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD).ObjectiveThe aim of this pilot study was to observe the outcome for participants following the AYH program.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational trial, recruiting low-risk patients with CHD. Measures of exercise, exercise capacity, using the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT), dietary habits, and psychosocial well-being were conducted by a CR specialist at baseline and at 8 weeks following the Web-based intervention.ResultsWe recruited 41 participants; 33 completed the program. We documented significant improvements in the ISWT distance (mean change 49.69 meters, SD 68.8, P<.001), and Quality of Life (QOL) (mean change 0.28, SD 0.4, P<.001). Dietary habits improved with an increased proportion of patients consuming at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day, (22 [71%] to 29 [94%] P=.01) and an increased proportion of patients consuming at least 2 portions of oily fish per week (14 [45%] to 21 [68%], P=.01). We did not detect changes in anxiety and depression scores or exercise behavior.ConclusionsWe observed important improvements in exercise capacity, QOL, and dietary habits in a group of participants following a Web-based CR program. The program may offer an alternative approach to CR. A mobile version has been developed and we need to conduct further trials to establish its value compared to supervised CR.

Interactive web-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme: a randomised controlled feasibility trial

“…Brough et al 15 reported a significant improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life in patients that completed the web-based programme. Following the success of AYH, we have developed a prototype website based on the educational content of the ‘SPACE for COPD’ self-management workbook.…”

Web-based cardiacREhabilitatioNalternative for those declining or dropping out of conventional rehabilitation: results of the WREN feasibility randomised controlled trial

“…Participants and the CR team were alerted whenever the programme was not being used regularly. More details about the programme are reported in a previous paper 30…”

“…A second single cohort observational study collected pilot data from patients attending CR at UHL, which identified significant improvements (p<0.05) in depression, exercise capacity and quality of life (n=106). Interestingly 65% of patients reported that they would not otherwise have attended CR 30. This has formed the basis of a case study on the NICE website (http://www.nice.org.uk/usingguidance/sharedlearningimplementingniceguidance/examplesofimplementation/eximpresults.jsp?o=718), encouraging the use and exploration of alternative forms of delivery.…”

The evaluation of an interactive web-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme: protocol for the WEB SPACE for COPD feasibility study

“…Our institution has recently pioneered the development of ‘ACTIVATE YOUR HEART’ (AYH) 12 which is an interactive web-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme and has proved very popular with patients, with the recruitment of 80 patients far exceeding the initial target of 25. Brough et al (2014) reported a significant improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life in patients that completed the web-based programme.…”