Key result
Tailored exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation promotes positive lifestyle changes and perceived safety despite initial patient fears.
Why the study?
Traditional cardiac rehabilitation improves physical performance and outcomes after MI, but older patients are less likely to participate in such programs.
Older post-MI patients demonstrate willingness to adapt lifestyle habits when supported by tailored, patient-centered rehabilitation programs, underscoring the value of individualized care in secondary prevention.
Supports tailored cardiac rehab to ease fears and overprotection in older patients; hypothesis-generating for adherence in secondary prevention.
Traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs effectively improve physical performance and outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI). However, older patients are less likely to participate in such programs. The aim of this qualitative analysis was to investigate experiences and perceptions of cardiac outpatients enrolled in an innovative and exercise-based CR program and to identify possible barriers to improving adherence and quality of life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on a sample of 31 patients (84% male; age 76 ± 6 years) from the Physical Activity Intervention in Elderly after Myocardial Infarction (PIpELINe) trial, after about six months of the event. Three main themes were identified: Personal feelings after the event; lifestyle change and perception of barriers; and relationships with familiars. Participants perceived sensations of fear at the time of their diagnosis and showed awareness of the importance of following specific health suggestions. They reported a significative change in previous habits and highlighted the need for periodic controls. Few of them felt insecure in carrying out daily activities or practicing exercise and reported an unnecessary protection from the family members. These findings will provide valuable insights for the development of a more feasible patient-centered CR model of intervention.
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Raisi et al. (2023) studied Myocardial Infarction (n=31). Physical Activity Intervention in Elderly after Myocardial Infarction (PIpELINe) was evaluated on Patient experiences, perceptions, and barriers (qualitative themes). The tailored exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program facilitated positive lifestyle modifications and feelings of safety, despite initial patient fears and some reported family overprotection.
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