The effect of fear-avoidance intervention on kinesiophobia and self-efficacy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: study protocol for a clinical randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Kinesiophobia after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may lead to decreased compliance with rehabilitation exercises. Effective interventions are essential to overcome kinesiophobia after PCI. The aim of this trial is to investigate the clinical effects of an intervention based on the fear-avoidance model (FAM) on kinesiophobia in post-PCI patients. METHODS: Eighty participants will be recruited in the Department of Cardiology in Hebei Provincial People's Hospital. And they will be randomly allocated to the test group and undergo a 5-day step-to-step intervention. The primary outcome will be the scores of a scale on kinesiophobia. Secondary outcome measures included self-efficacy for exercise, psychogenic anxiety, and the occurrence of cardiovascular adverse events. Primary and secondary outcome data will be collected at baseline (t0), on the day of discharge (t1), and one month after discharge (t2). DISCUSSION: The effectiveness of an intervention based on the FAM to increase exercise self-efficacy and decrease kinesiophobia in post-PCI patients will be demonstrated. The findings of this study will facilitate post-PCI patients to participate in cardiac rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200065649 Effect of an intervention based on the fear-avoidance model on exercise fear in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention. Registered on November 10, 2022.

Impacto de la identificación de síntomas depresivos en un programa de rehabilitación cardiovascular / Impact of the identification of depressive symptoms in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program

Introducción. La evidencia muestra una relación bidireccional entre la depresión y la enfermedad coronaria. La identificación de síntomas depresivos en la consulta de rehabilitación cardiovascular (RCV) puede ser un indicador valioso. Materiales y métodos. Aquellos pacientes que presentaron síntomas depresivos (autorreportados) fueron remitidos al servicio de Salud Mental (SM), y posteriormente se compararon con un grupo de pacientes sin estos síntomas y se evaluó su impacto en variables cardiovasculares. Resultados. Se evaluaron 60 pacientes. Se observó una adherencia del 86,44% (n=51). 13 pacientes fueron remitidos al área de HM (edad media 67,08 años; DE 6,09). Hemos analizado el impacto que puede representar este trastorno, tanto en la recuperación física como en la percepción de calidad de vida. Conclusiones. Los efectos positivos de la derivación a MH complementan los beneficios de la RCV. La mejora emocional del individuo también favorece la adherencia y el cumplimiento del tratamiento rehabilitador

Introduction. Evidence shows a bidirectional relationship between depression and coronary heart disease. The identification of depressive symptoms in the cardiovascular rehabilitation (CVR) consultation can be a valuable indicator. Materials and methods. Those patients who presented depressive symptoms (self-reported) were referred to the Mental Health (MH) service, and were subsequently compared with a group of patients without these symptoms, and their impact on cardiovascular variables was evaluated. Results. 60 patients were evaluated. An adherence of 86.44% (n=51) was observed. 13 patients were referred to the MH area (mean age 67.08 years; SD 6.09). We have analyzed the impact that this disorder can represent, both on physical recovery and on the perception of quality of life. Conclusions. The positive effects of referral to MH complement the benefits of CVR. The individual's emotional improvement also favors adherence and compliance with rehabilitation treatment

Exploring physical activity preferences and motivation in long-term cardiac prevention: An Austrian cross-sectional survey.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients often do not sustain physical activity (PA) behaviour in the long run, once they progress into a self-management stage of secondary prevention. This study aimed to explore former CR patients' PA preferences, determinants (i.e., influencing factors) and motivation for sustained PA engagement. We conducted a cross-sectional multi-centre survey using an original questionnaire based on prior qualitative interviews with cardiac patients. Five CR centres in Austria posted 500 questionnaires to former CR patients who had completed CR approximately three years prior, and 117 patients (23%) responded. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse closed-ended questions, and self-determination theory (SDT) was applied as a qualitative framework to analyse open-ended questions concerning motivation for PA engagement. Patients were generally physically active, but the majority (75.3%) did not fulfil the World Health Organisation's recommendations for aerobic PA and muscle strengthening. Most patients preferred being physically active outdoors (70%), engaging in aerobic-related (95%), individual and non-competitive exercises, with cycling (52%), walking (32%) and hiking (25%) among the most popular activities. Main determinants of PA were health, pain and motivation for 80%, 68%, 67% of patients, respectively. A subset of patients (77%) expanded on their motivations behind PA. According to SDT, most reasons (90%) were regulated by autonomous motivation (either extrinsically autonomously-regulated or intrinsic motivation) and stemmed mostly from health-related goals (e.g., fitness, general health, weight control), future quality-of-life aspirations (e.g., self-sufficiency in old age, presence for loved ones, preserving mobility) and enjoyment of PA. Patients' responses underscore the importance of promoting not only general PA, but also muscle strengthening training in CR interventions to maximise optimal health benefits. Our data further suggest that interventions which are aligned to patients' health goals and foster autonomous motivation may be particularly beneficial in increasing adherence to PA in the long-term.

Opting out of cardiac rehabilitation in local community healthcare services: Patients' perspectives and reflections.

RATIONALE: Despite cardiac rehabilitation and medical treatment being integrated parts of the pathway of patients with cardiovascular disease, as well as the well-establish positive effect, cardiac rehabilitation remains underutilised. In recent years, cardiac rehabilitation has increasingly been moved from the hospitals to the community healthcare services. This transition may be challenging for patients with cardiovascular disease. AIM: To investigate reflections and perspectives of patients opting out of cardiac rehabilitation in community healthcare services to improve participation and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation in the future. RESULTS: A total of eight patients opting out of cardiac rehabilitation participated in individual interviews. Opting out of cardiac rehabilitation is defined as never enroled or did not complete cardiac rehabilitation. The Interpretive Description methodology was used in the analysis where two themes and six subthemes were identified: (1) 'Structural and organisational factors' with three subthemes; Being a patient in the healthcare system, Enroling into CR when it is meaningful, and Getting back to work is vital, and (2) 'Patients' internal factors' with three subthemes; Feeling a desire to regain control, Seeing yourself as recovered, and Being aware of own needs. The analysis indicates that patients' decision to opt out of CR was multidimensional and based on a combination of factors. CONCLUSION: Ensuring that the healthcare professionals in the community have sufficient information regarding the patient and a clear communication plan between the healthcare professionals and the patient may reduce the transition causing confusion and frustrations for patients. Incorporating a vocational element in CR and ensuring that employers understand the importance of CR may hamper returning to work as a challenge to CR. Ensuring timely CR referral and enrolment and a transition coordinator may reduce the challenge of patients not viewing CR as meaningful. However, further studies are needed to fully understand how CR could become meaningful for patients opting out of CR.

The psychological well-being index and quality of life after a cardiac rehabilitation program based on aerobic training and psychosocial support.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the physical and psychological benefits of an alternative cardiac rehabilitation program based on therapeutic groups during physical exercise sessions and to compare the results with those of a conventional cardiac rehabilitation program. METHOD: The sample included 112 patients from the cardiac rehabilitation unit of a medical center, 91.1 % of whom were male. The control group consisted of 47 subjects, with a mean age of 57.89 ± 12.30 and the experimental group consisted of 65 subjects, with a mean age of M = 58.38 ± 9.86. Quality of life, psychological well-being, health-related quality of life, body mass index, blood pressure, abdominal circumference and resting heart rate were measured before starting and at the end of the cardiac rehabilitation program. RESULTS: The experimental group improved significantly more than the control group in body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, abdominal circumference, and resting heart rate (p value < 0.005). In addition, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in quality of life, psychological well-being, and health-related quality of life than the control group (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A cardiac rehabilitation program based on simultaneous aerobic training and psychosocial support improved the physical function, health-related quality of life and well-being.

Associations Between Psychological Factors and Adherence to Health Behaviors After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The Role of Cardiac Rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary heart disease lowers the disease burden and risk of recurrent cardiac events. Examining psychological factors may improve post-PCI health behavior adherence. PURPOSE: To determine whether psychological factors are associated with post-PCI health behavior adherence, and the role of CR participation. METHODS: Data from 1,682 patients (22.1% female, Mage = 64.0, SDage = 10.5 years) from the THORESCI cohort were included. Adjusted mixed models were used to examine associations between psychological factors and the 1-year course of health behaviors, using interactions to test for moderation by CR participation. RESULTS: Psychological factors were associated with the trajectories of adherence to medical advice, exercise, and diet. The strongest association found was between optimism and the trajectory of dietary adherence (B: = -0.09, p = .026). Patients with high optimism levels had a worse trajectory of dietary adherence compared to patients with low to middle optimism levels. Participation in CR buffered the associations of high anxiety, pessimism, and low to middle resilience, but strengthened the associations of high stress in the past year with the probability of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological factors are associated with post-PCI health behavior adherence, but the pattern of associations is complex. Patients with high levels of anxiety, pessimism, and low to middle resilience levels may disproportionately benefit from CR. Cardiac rehabilitation programs could consider this to improve post-PCI health behavior adherence. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION #: NCT02621216.

For patients with coronary heart disease who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), participating in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) reduces the disease burden and the risk of future cardiac events. However, adherence to the health behaviors targeted in CR could be improved. Using data from 1,682 patients included in the THORESCI study, we explored whether psychological factors could predict health behavior adherence and the role of participation in CR. Results revealed that psychological factors were linked to adherence to medical advice, exercise, and diet. Overall, patients with low to moderate optimism levels exhibited more favorable changes in healthy dietary habits than patients with high levels of optimism. Participation in CR made the link between high anxiety, pessimism, low to moderate resilience, and lower adherence to health behaviors less strong. Cardiac rehabilitation programs could use these results to enhance the health behavior adherence of patients who have undergone PCI.

Impact of a COmprehensive cardiac REhabilitation framework among high cardiovascular risk cancer survivors: Protocol for the CORE trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors are challenging patients, as they often present increased cardiovascular risk. In this background, cardio-oncology rehabilitation frameworks for specific cancer patients have been proposed. However, optimal program designs, as well as their overall safety and efficacy in different subsets of patients, are not fully ascertained. DESIGN: Single-center, pragmatic, prospective, randomized controlled trial performed in Portugal aiming to evaluate the impact of a center-based cardiac rehabilitation program, consisting of exercise training, nutritional counselling, psychosocial management and lifestyle behavior change, compared to community-based exercise training, in cancer survivors. METHODS: Adult cancer survivors (N = 80) exposed to cardiotoxic cancer treatment and/or with previous cardiovascular disease will be randomized (1:1) to receive either an eight-week cardiac rehabilitation program or community-based exercise training. Primary endpoint is cardiorespiratory fitness; secondary endpoints are physical activity, psychosocial parameters, blood pressure, body composition, lipids and inflammatory parameters. Physical function, quality of life, fatigue, health literacy, and feasibility will be assessed; a cost-effectiveness evaluation will also be performed. Between-group differences at baseline and in the change from baseline to the end of the study will be tested with unpaired t-tests or Mann-Whitney U test. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank test will be performed for within-group comparisons. CONCLUSION: This trial will address the overall impact of a contemporary cardiac rehabilitation program framework in cancer survivors, as compared to a community-based exercise training. Given the higher cardiovascular risk in several groups of cancer patients, our results could provide novel insights into optimized preventive strategies in this complex patient population.

IMPACT OF EARLY EXERCISE-BASED CARDIAC REHABILITATION ON HOSTILITY, ITS BEHAVIORAL COMPONENTS AND DISEASE PERCEPTION IN PATIENTS AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: Hostility and its behavioral components, anger and aggression are psychosocial risk factors for coronary heart disease. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical training on the level of negative emotions, the cognitive aspect of adaptation to disease and physical capacity in patients after MI who participated in cardiac rehabilitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: We enrolled 60 post-MI men and women in the study. They underwent an 8-week training program. Before and after completion of trainings patients underwent exercise test and a psychological examination.The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire were performed with results analysis in the entire group and in subgroups of men, women, patients under 60 years of age (younger) and over 60 years of age (older). RESULTS: Results: After rehabilitation a significant reduction in the general level of negative emotions was found in younger: 67.8±4.6 vs 63.9±3.7 points (p< 0.01). Similarly, a significant reduction in the sense of the impact of the disease on life was found only in younger 6.96±0.5 vs 5.48±0.5 points (p<0.01). There was a significant improvement in overall adaptation to the disease in women from 40.6±2.2 to 35.7±1.9 points (p < 0.05).Moreover,patients with higher levels of negative emotions had more difficulty adapting to the disease r=0.361, p<0.01. Physical capacity increased significantly in all groups. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Participating in cardiac rehabilitation improved physical capacity, beneficially contributed to a decrease in negative emotions and had a positive effect on disease adaptation but only in younger post -MI patients.

How and Why Patients Adhere to a Prescribed Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: A Longitudinal Phenomenological Study of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background. Adherence to cardiac rehabilitation remains a challenge despite established evidence that engaging in regular exercise is a strong preventive measure to experiencing a second cardiac event. A recent study found a six-month cardiac rehabilitation program to be effective for facilitating regular exercise behavior among patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome. The purpose of this study was to conduct a phenomenological investigation using Colaizzi's descriptive technique to understand mechanisms responsible for behavior change. Methods. Data were collected and analyzed among patients with acute coronary syndrome at a cardiac rehabilitation using semi-structured interviews that were conducted over the phone across three months. Conclusion. Thematic analysis of 15 semi-structured interviews resulted in 124 statements that were analyzed. The data yielded seven themes that included "motivation to follow prescribed exercise program", "volitional decision", "capability of performing exercise", "connectedness to peers", "planning", "habit formation", and "adopting healthy behaviors beyond exercise". The emerged themes align with construct definitions of the self-determination theory, which include the three psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), in addition to autonomous motivation, which represents internally driven reasons to participate in exercise. Planning and habit formation themes support contemporary research that identifies these constructs responsible for behavioral maintenance. While these themes help explain exercise participation, the final theme, adopting healthy behaviors beyond exercise, reflects the impact of the program on having a change towards a healthier lifestyle. The findings highlight the complexity of exercise behavior, and that long-term participation is likely explained by amalgamating the self-determination theory.

Depression and anxiety in cardiac rehabilitation: differential associations with changes in exercise capacity and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been successful in improving exercise capacity (EC) and quality of life (QoL). However, depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among cardiac patients and might represent risk factors for rehabilitation outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of depression and anxiety as possible independent risk factors for CR outcomes. METHODS: The study applied a pre-post-design. The sample comprised N = 3'434 cardiac disease patients taking part in a Swiss inpatient CR center. Variables measured at the beginning (T1) and end of rehabilitation (T2) included depression and anxiety (HADS), EC, and QoL (MacNew). A path analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Depression at T1 had a significant negative relationship with improvements in EC and in all aspects of QoL during rehabilitation. Anxiety at T1 was positively related to improvements in EC and in emotional and physical QoL. Improvements in depression during CR were positively related with improvements in all outcomes. Improvements in anxiety showed no significant association with the outcomes. CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety should be screened for during CR. Depression should be treated due to the negative association found with rehabilitation outcomes. Underlying mechanisms of the positive association of anxiety with rehabilitation outcomes need further investigation.

Mobile Technology Improves Adherence to Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background Despite its established effectiveness, adherence to cardiac rehabilitation remains suboptimal. The purpose of our study is to examine whether mobile technology improves adherence to cardiac rehabilitation and other outcomes. Methods and Results We identified all enrollees of the cardiac rehabilitation program at Boston Medical Center from 2016 to 2019 (n=830). Some enrollees used a mobile technology application that provided a customized list of educational content in a progressive manner, used the patient's smartphone accelerometer to provide daily step counts, and served as a 2-way messaging system between the patient and program staff. Adherence to cardiac rehabilitation was defined as the number of attended sessions and completion of the program. Enrollees had a mean age of 59 years; 32% were women, and 42% were Black. Using 3:1 propensity matching for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking status, transportation time, diagnosis, and baseline depression survey score, we evaluated change in exercise capacity, weight, functional capacity, and nutrition scores. Those in the mobile technology group (n=114) attended a higher number of prescribed sessions (mean 28 versus 22; relative risk, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04-1.32; P=0.009), were 1.8 times more likely to complete the cardiac rehabilitation program (P=0.01), and had a slightly greater weight loss (pounds) following rehabilitation (-1.71; 95% CI, -0.30 to -3.11; P=0.02) as compared with those in the standard group (n=213); other outcomes were similar between the groups. Conclusions In a propensity-matched, racially diverse population, we found that adjunctive use of mobile technology is significantly associated with improved adherence to cardiac rehabilitation and number of attended sessions.

Improving the Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for Depression and Anxiety in Cardiac Rehabilitation: PATHWAY-A Single-Blind, Parallel, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Group Metacognitive Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety in cardiovascular disease are significant, contributing to poor prognosis. Unfortunately, current psychological treatments offer mixed, usually small improvements in these symptoms. The present trial tested for the first time the effects of group metacognitive therapy (MCT; 6 sessions) on anxiety and depressive symptoms when delivered alongside cardiac rehabilitation (CR). METHODS: A total of 332 CR patients recruited from 5 National Health Service Trusts across the North-West of England were randomly allocated to MCT+CR (n=163, 49.1%) or usual CR alone (n=169, 50.9%). Randomization was 1:1 via minimization balancing arms on sex and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores within hospital site. The primary outcome was Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale total after treatment (4-month follow-up). Secondary outcomes were individual Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales, traumatic stress symptoms, and psychological mechanisms including metacognitive beliefs and repetitive negative thinking. Analysis was intention to treat. RESULTS: The adjusted group difference on the primary outcome, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale total score at 4 months, significantly favored the MCT+CR arm (-3.24 [95% CI, -4.67 to -1.81], P<0.001; standardized effect size, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.291 to 0.750]). The significant difference was maintained at 12 months (-2.19 [95% CI, -3.72 to -0.66], P=0.005; standardized effect size, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.101 to 0.568]). The intervention improved outcomes significantly for both depression and anxiety symptoms when assessed separately compared with usual care. Sensitivity analysis using multiple imputation of missing values supported these findings. Most secondary outcomes favored MCT+CR, with medium to high effect sizes for psychological mechanisms of metacognitive beliefs and repetitive negative thinking. No adverse treatment-related events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Group MCT+CR significantly improved depression and anxiety compared with usual care and led to greater reductions in unhelpful metacognitions and repetitive negative thinking. Most gains remained significant at 12 months. Study strengths include a large sample, a theory-based intervention, use of longer-term follow-up, broad inclusion criteria, and involvement of a trials unit. Limitations include no control for additional contact as part of MCT to estimate nonspecific effects, and the trial was not intended to assess cardiac outcomes. Nonetheless, results demonstrated that addition of the MCT intervention had broad and significant beneficial effects on mental health symptoms. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: ISRCTN74643496.

Patients' experiences of the complex trust-building process within digital cardiac rehabilitation.

The development of digital solutions is becoming increasingly important in facing global challenges. Therefore, research on this topic is important in taking into account cardiac patients' experiences of the rehabilitation process for the design of digital counseling solutions. The aim of the present qualitative study was to explore the different meanings that patients give to the rehabilitation process using a Glaserian grounded theory (GT) approach. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 participants from a rehabilitation center in Finland. The findings indicated a "complex trust-building process" core category comprising five categories of trust-building in rehabilitation: feeling that one has hit rock bottom, facing and coping in a crosscurrent, understanding together as a peer group, moving toward a healthier lifestyle with technology, and finding self-awareness. The complex process of trust-building involved interactions among emotion, cognition, and acceptance and support processes. Therefore, digital rehabilitation should be incorporated into counseling based on patients' psychosocial, physical and emotional needs to help patients become aware of their own feelings and thoughts during the rehabilitation process.

Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy as a Support for Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Pilot Randomized-Controlled Trial.

Depression and anxiety can significantly reduce the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Several studies have assessed the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based interventions for symptoms of anxiety and depression; however, they do not relate to patients with heart disease. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of VR therapy on the mental state of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirty-four CAD patients with elevated anxiety or depression symptoms were recruited. After randomization, 17 participants were assigned to the intervention group, and 17 to the control group. Both groups underwent standard CR for outpatients. In the intervention group, eight VR therapy sessions were applied. In the control group, eight sessions of Schultz' Autogenic Training were applied. To assess patient mental states, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perception of Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) were used, before and after 4 weeks of CR. In the intervention group, a significant decrease in HADS score was observed (19.46 pretreatment vs. 15.73 post-treatment, p = 0.003), HADS-Anxiety subscale decreased by 16.0 percent (p = 0.01) and HADS-Depression by 23.0 percent (p = 0.003). Similarly, a significant decrease in PSQ was recorded at 12.8 percent (64.73 vs. 56.47, p = 0.03). In the control group, HADS and PSQ data did not change. VR therapy significantly reduced the severity of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress levels in CAD patients undergoing CR. Immersive VR therapy effectively supports the CR of individuals with anxiety-depressive symptoms. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04045977).

Gender differences and long-term outcome of over 75 elderlies in cardiac rehabilitation: highlighting the role of psychological and physical factors through a secondary analysis of a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Despite cardiac rehabilitation for elder people already showed its usefulness, to date it is still not clear the impact of gender and of psychological constructs in influencing the rehabilitation outcomes. AIM: This study aimed at exploring the gender differences of great elders (over 75 years old) in cardiac rehabilitation, with particular attention to the impact of physical and psychological conditions, as depressive symptoms, on long-term post-discharge outcomes. DESIGN: A cohort study design was used and a secondary analysis was conducted. SETTING: Cardiac rehabilitation unit of a postacute rehabilitation Institute. POPULATION: Elderly patients over 75 years old admitted to the cardiac rehabilitation program. METHODS: Psychological and functional variables, such as Barthel Index, BMI, quality of life, and depression measured at admission and discharge from CR were matched with mortality information up to 4 years, used as long-term outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 523 patients, 228 females and 295 males, with a mean age of 76.27 years±3.46 were progressively enrolled. Barthel index at admission and discharge was higher for males than females, 74.10±17.31 vs. 68.90 SD±16.81 (P<0.001), and 95.45±10.64 vs. 92.95±13.03 (p=0.021), respectively, while the relative change from admission to discharge Δ% of Barthel was higher for females 0.25±0.18 than for males 0.21±0.17 (P<0.05). Compared to males, either at admission or discharge females presented more severe depressive symptoms (5.21±3.46 vs. 3.86±2.79, P<0.001; 4.15±3.21 vs. 2.93±2.45, P<0.001) and a worse quality of life (10.58±2.15 vs. 9.55±2.24, P<0.001; 7.5±1.63 vs. 7.02±1.08, P=0.018). Cox proportional analysis revealed that female gender, depression at discharge, Barthel, and Comorbidity Index were associated with higher hazard and shorter survival time. On the other hand, higher BMI was associated with lower hazard and longer survival time. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly women following a CR program present more disability, depression, and a worse QoL than men. Obviously, these characteristics influence the length of hospitalization but with significant improvement. Despite the frail-gender paradox regarding survival, after CR program women have a higher risk of mortality than men. Depression has a significant negative impact on elderly psychophysical health. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Gender-specific and individualized rehabilitation programs should be implemented by considering the discussed physical and psychological risk factors. Further insight about gender differences among over 75 elderlies in CR is provided, this knowledge may be useful for clinicians scheduling recovery plans to promote elderlies' psychological and physical health. Psychological interventions should be implemented to relieve the depressive symptoms among elders.

Factors influencing health behavior practice in patients with coronary artery diseases.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among cardiac rehabilitation knowledge, educational need and health behavior practice in patients with coronary artery disease and explain factors influencing health behavior practice. METHOD: The research participants were 189 patients with coronary artery disease from general hospital located in Korea. Self-evaluation questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data was collected from January to May, 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression with the SPSS 24.0 program. RESULTS: There were significant positive relationships between cardiac rehabilitation knowledge and health behavior practice (r = .37, p < .001), and significant positive relationships between educational need and health behavior practice (r = .17, p = .022). Factors influencing health behavior practice were identified, the most critical predictive factor was age (≥80) (ß = .52), followed by cardiac rehabilitation knowledge (ß = .42), regular exercise (No) (ß = -.25), family history (No) (ß = .24), age (60-69) (ß = .22), cohabitation (No) (ß = -.20) and educational needs (ß = .17). The explanation power of this model was 50% and it was statistically significant (F = 13.42, p < .001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that cardiac rehabilitation knowledge and educational need should be considered in enhancing cardiac rehabilitation programs designed for patients with coronary artery disease.

Perceptions of Kinesiophobia in Relation to Physical Activity and Exercise After Myocardial Infarction: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity and exercise are central components in rehabilitation after a myocardial infarction. Kinesiophobia (fear of movement) is a well-known barrier for a good rehabilitation outcome in these patients; however, there is a lack of studies focusing on the patient perspective. The aim of this study was to explore patients' perceptions of kinesiophobia in relation to physical activity and exercise 2 to 3 months after an acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: This qualitative study design used individual semi-structured interviews. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 21 patients post-myocardial infarction who were screened for kinesiophobia (≥32 on the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart). The interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to an inductive content analysis. RESULTS: An overarching theme was defined as "coping with fear of movement after a myocardial infarction-a dynamic process over time" comprising 2 subthemes and explaining how coping with kinesiophobia runs in parallel processes integrating the patient's internal process and a contextual external process. The 2 processes are described in a total of 8 categories. The internal process was an iterative process governed by a combination of factors: ambivalence, hypervigilance, insecurity about progression, and avoidance behavior. The external process contains the categories of relatives' anxiety, prerequisites for feeling safe, information, and the exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program. CONCLUSION: Coping with fear of movement after a myocardial infarction is a dynamic process that requires internal and external support. To further improve cardiac rehabilitation programs, person-centered strategies that support the process of each person-as well as new treatment strategies to reduce kinesiophobia-need to be elaborated. IMPACT: Patients with a myocardial infarction were found to be ambivalent about how they expressed their fear of movement; therefore, it is crucial for physical therapists to acknowledge signs of fear by listening carefully to the patient's full story in addition to using adequate self-reports and tests of physical fitness. These results will inform the design, development, and evaluation of new treatment strategies, with the overall aim of reducing kinesiophobia and increasing physical activity and participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Self-regulatory efficacy for exercise in cardiac rehabilitation: Review and recommendations for measurement.

PURPOSE: Self-regulatory efficacy (SRE) is a psychological resource necessary for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise adoption and maintenance. A 2008 review of self-efficacy for CR exercise identified the need for more high-quality research on SRE. The present review had 4 purposes: (a) to review the characteristics of empirical SRE and CR exercise research since 2008; (b) to examine the quality of SRE measurement; (c) to determine whether varying quality of SRE measurement moderated the relationship between SRE, exercise, and CR social cognitions; and (d) to make recommendations for better measurement for future research. METHOD: An initial search of 766 possible studies identified 29 for review. These included individuals engaged in or completing CR where SRE for exercise and relevant outcomes was assessed. Meta-analysis examined whether SRE measurement quality was associated with the magnitude of effects observed and to determine potential moderation by quality. RESULTS: There were 11 unique operationalizations of SRE for exercise. Problematic factors included: non-SRE variables assessed as the construct, using global versus specific measures, and lack of a time frame over which SRE applied. Effect size was related to stronger relationships as level of study and measurement quality increased. CONCLUSION: Since 2008, an increase in studies examining SRE and CR exercise was observed. To advance SRE and CR exercise research, measurement and research quality improvements are recommended that have implications for future mediation and CR intervention assessment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).