What does this research mean for the field?

Virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation produces improvements in physical activity, functional capacity, and mental health comparable to those of traditional supervised rehabilitation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study evaluates cardiovascular disease risk factor outcomes across different cardiac rehabilitation program options chosen by patients.

June 12, 2026European Journal of Preventive CardiologyOpen Access

Risk factor outcomes following flexible delivery models in cardiac rehabilitation: rehabilitation in the real world

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation yielded similar improvements in physical activity, functional capacity, and mental health compared to supervised rehabilitation (p=0.068).

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Cardiovascular disease requiring cardiac rehabilitation (n=2484). Intervention: Virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation vs. Supervised cardiac rehabilitation. Primary outcome: Cardiovascular disease risk factor outcomes (baseline vs end-of-program) (p=0.068).

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Key result

Virtual cardiac rehab matches supervised programs for improving physical activity, functional capacity, and mental health.

P=0.068
n=2,484

Why the study?

It was unknown whether cardiovascular disease risk factor outcomes differ across flexible, patient-selected cardiac rehabilitation delivery options in a large centre.

Does virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation improve CVD risk factor outcomes compared to supervised cardiac rehabilitation in patients undergoing secondary prevention?

Comparison

Supervised vs virtual case-managed CR delivery models

Design

Single-centre retrospective cohort study

Authors

JHJ HarrisUniversity of Ottawa COC D O'neillAcadia University BQB QuinlanUniversity of Ottawa

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Patient choice of supervised or virtual CR yields comparable risk factor outcomes; leaves open confirmation via randomized trials.

Key Points

This study evaluates cardiovascular disease risk factor outcomes across different cardiac rehabilitation program options chosen by patients.
Single-centre retrospective cohort study at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Patients self-selected between supervised and virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation models.
Paired samples t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze outcomes from baseline to end-of-program.
1,279 patients in supervised CR and 1,205 in virtual CR; no significant differences in risk factor outcomes (p=0.068).
Significant improvements in physical activity (supervised: 195 to 231 min/week; virtual: 191 to 211 min/week, p<0.001) and mental health (p≤0.004).
No improvements observed in other risk factors; sex and age affected end-of-program outcomes (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively).

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=2,484)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Does virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation improve CVD risk factor outcomes compared to supervised cardiac rehabilitation in patients undergoing secondary prevention?

Population

2,484 patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation at a single Canadian center, self-selecting either supervised or virtual case-managed programs.

Exposure

Virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation

Comparator

Supervised cardiac rehabilitation

Outcome

Change in CVD risk factor outcomes (smoking status, physical activity, functional capacity, resting blood pressure, lipids, HbA1c, mental health, and fruit/vegetable intake) from baseline to end-of-program (EOP)surrogate

Main Result

p-value: p=0.068

Virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation is as effective as supervised programs in improving physical activity, functional capacity, and mental health, supporting flexible delivery models for secondary prevention.

Cite This Study

Harris et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular disease requiring cardiac rehabilitation (n=2,484). Virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation vs. Supervised cardiac rehabilitation was evaluated on Cardiovascular disease risk factor outcomes (baseline vs end-of-program) (p=0.068). Virtual case-managed cardiac rehabilitation yielded similar improvements in physical activity, functional capacity, and mental health compared to supervised rehabilitation (p=0.068).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2bd1386550ea4541ffe9c7 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag249.227

Topics

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Lifestyle Interventions

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Risk factor outcomes following flexible delivery models in cardiac rehabilitation: rehabilitation in the real world

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Cite This Study

Topics

Risk factor outcomes following flexible delivery models in cardiac rehabilitation: rehabilitation in the real world

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Cite This Study

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Topics

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