Key result
Wearable activity trackers in cardiac rehab increase daily steps by ~2600 and improve aerobic capacity.
Why the study?
To evaluate RCTs using wearable activity trackers to promote physical activity among cardiac rehabilitation participants on step counts and aerobic capacity.
Do wearable activity trackers increase physical activity (step counts and aerobic capacity) among cardiac rehabilitation participants?
Meta-Analysis (n=2,429)
Do wearable activity trackers increase physical activity (step counts and aerobic capacity) among cardiac rehabilitation participants?
The use of wearable activity trackers in cardiac rehabilitation is associated with significant improvements in daily step counts and aerobic capacity.
Supports incorporating wearable trackers into cardiac rehabilitation; confirms increased steps and aerobic capacity in meta-analysis of RCTs.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to review randomized controlled trials (RCT), which included a wearable activity tracker in an intervention to promote physical activity among cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants, and to conduct a meta-analysis for the outcomes of step counts and aerobic capacity (V˙o2max). METHODS: Eight databases were searched for RCTs that included an activity tracker, enrolled adults eligible for CR, and reported outcomes of step count or aerobic capacity. Mean differences were calculated for outcomes in the meta-analyses. RESULTS: Nineteen RCTs with 2429 participants were included in the systematic review and 10 RCTs with 891 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of three RCTs using a pedometer or accelerometer demonstrated a significant increase in daily step count compared with controls (n = 211, 2587 steps/d [95% CI, 916-5257]; I2 = 74.6% and P = .002). Meta-analysis of three RCTs using a pedometer or accelerometer intervention demonstrated a significant increase in V˙o2max compared with controls (n = 260, 2.6 mL/min/kg [95% CI, 1.6-3.6]; I2 = 0.0% and P < .0001). Meta-analysis of four RCTs using a heart rate monitor demonstrated a significant increase in V˙o2max compared with controls (n = 420, 1.4 mL/min/kg [95% CI, 0.4-2.3]; I2 = 0.0% and P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Use of activity trackers among CR participants was associated with significant increases in daily step count and aerobic capacity when compared with controls. However, study size was small and variability in intervention supports the need for larger trials to assess use of activity trackers in CR.
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Ashur et al. (2021) conducted a meta-analysis in cardiac rehabilitation (n=2,429). wearable activity tracker vs. controls was evaluated on daily step count (MD 2587 steps/d, 95% CI 916-5257, p=.002). Wearable activity trackers in cardiac rehabilitation significantly increased daily step counts (MD 2587 steps/d; 95% CI 916-5257; P=.002) and aerobic capacity compared with controls.
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