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June 12, 2026European Journal of Preventive CardiologyOpen Access

Tele-cardiac rehabilitation improves peak VO2 and SPPB scores by ~10% vs usual care.

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Why the study?

Tele-cardiac rehabilitation is recommended to enhance exercise tolerance, but limited digital literacy in older adults impedes implementation. Delivering it within community congregation facilities may overcome these challenges.

Does tele-cardiac rehabilitation delivered in community congregation facilities improve exercise tolerance and physical performance in older adults?

Comparison

Tele-cardiac rehabilitation vs usual care

Design

Cluster-assigned controlled study

Follow-up

20 weeks

Key result

Tele-cardiac rehabilitation in community facilities improved peak oxygen uptake (13.1 to 14.4 ml/kg/min; interaction p=0.017) and SPPB scores (10.2 to 11.3; interaction p=0.024) vs usual care.

Authors

YTY TamuraHTH TakahashiMTM Takahashi

Discussion

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Overview

Tele-cardiac rehabilitation improves peakVO2 in older adults; extends evidence for remote programs in community settings.

Key Points

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of tele-cardiac rehabilitation in improving exercise tolerance and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults.
  • Participants were community-dwelling older adults enrolled from congregation facilities.
  • Facilities were cluster-assigned to intervention or non-intervention groups with a follow-up of 20 weeks.
  • Individualized interval exercise programs were prescribed with tele-CR sessions delivered weekly via video communication.
  • In the intervention group, peakVO2 increased from 13.1 ± 3.4 to 14.4 ± 3.6 ml/kg/min (p=0.003).
  • SPPB scores improved from 10.2 ± 1.7 to 11.3 ± 1.2 points in the intervention group (p=0.024).
  • No significant changes were observed in the non-intervention group.

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=57)

Randomization

Cluster-assigned

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does tele-cardiac rehabilitation delivered in community congregation facilities improve exercise tolerance and physical performance in older adults?

P
Population
57 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 80.9 years) attending congregation facilities in Japan, followed for 20 weeks.
I
Intervention
Tele-cardiac rehabilitation (tele-CR) sessions delivered one-to-one by physiotherapists via video communication once weekly for 30 minutes over 20 weeks, plus individualised interval exercise programmes.
C
Comparator
Usual care (continued usual activities at the facility).
O
Outcome
Peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2, ml/kg/min) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores at 20 weeks.surrogate

Main Result

p-value: p=0.017

Tele-cardiac rehabilitation delivered in community facilities significantly improves exercise tolerance and lower limb function in older adults, offering a feasible way to overcome digital literacy barriers.

Cite This Study

Tamura et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in Frailty and cardiovascular disease risk (n=57). Tele-cardiac rehabilitation vs. Usual care was evaluated on Peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores (p=0.017). Tele-cardiac rehabilitation in community facilities improved peak oxygen uptake (13.1 to 14.4 ml/kg/min; interaction p=0.017) and SPPB scores (10.2 to 11.3; interaction p=0.024) vs usual care.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2bd11d6550ea4541ffe88ehttps://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag249.460
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Feasibility and effectiveness of cardiac telerehabilitation for older adults with coronary heart disease patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial2024
  2. 2Feasibility and effectiveness of cardiac telerehabilitation for older adults with coronary heart disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial2024 · 19 citations
  3. 3Barriers to participation in cardiac rehabilitation2025 · 8 citations
  4. 4Safety and Feasibility of Tele-Cardiac Rehabilitation Using Remote Biological Signal Monitoring System: A Pilot Study2023 · 6 citations
  5. 5Advances in Cardiac Telerehabilitation for Older Adults in the Digital Age: A Narrative Review2024 · 5 citations