LAUSR

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Korea National Institute of Health. Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been proven to be effective in secondary prevention for patients with cardiovascular diseases, the actual participation in CR is still unsatisfactory. Because home-based CR provides better access to patients and is as effective as center-based CR, it is considered a promising alternative that can overcome various barriers impeding CR implementation. However, home-based CR has not garnered enough attention due to a lack of proper communication, concerns about unexpected adverse events caused by non-monitored exercises, and the absence of supporting insurance services. We utilized a smart ring with a photoplethysmography to monitor heart rate. Recorded data were stored on a website where the researchers could remotely access and check the uploaded measurements. This study aims to identify the clinical effects of hybrid CR by weekly telephone counseling based on the patients' actual physical activities obtained from the device. Cardiovascular disease patients were educated on concrete methods of home-based CR, including the type, intensity, and time of exercise as well as precautions. They were also instructed to wear the device during exercise. The patients were randomly enrolled into two groups: intervention and observation groups. The patients of the intervention group were given weekly telephone counseling and encouraged to maintain optimal physical activities. In the observational group, only exercise data were recorded without additional interventions. Before and after three months of training, the results of the symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test between the two groups were compared. A total of sixty-four patients were enrolled (thirty-two in each group). The subjects were 59.8 ± 9.0 years old and fifty-three (82.8%) were male. There were no significant differences in diagnosis and results of baseline symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test between the two groups (Table 1). After three months of training, peak oxygen consumption was significantly improved in both groups. However, the improvement was greater in the intervention group compared to the observation group (Table 2). Home-based CR using a smart device was effective in improving oxygen consumption. For greater effectiveness, proper monitoring and timely counseling by medical experts are likely to be necessary.