Effect of exercise-based cancer rehabilitation via telehealth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Exercise-based cancer rehabilitation via digital technologies can provide a promising alternative to centre-based exercise training, but data for cancer patients and survivors are limited. We conducted a meta-analysis examining the effect of telehealth exercise-based cancer rehabilitation in cancer survivors on cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, muscle strength, health-related quality of life, and self-reported symptoms. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and reference lists of articles related to the aim were searched up to March 2023. Randomized controlled clinical trials were included comparing the effect of telehealth exercise-based cancer rehabilitation with guideline-based usual care in adult cancer survivors. The primary result was cardiorespiratory fitness expressed by peak oxygen consumption. RESULTS: A total of 1510 participants were identified, and ten randomized controlled trials (n = 855) were included in the meta-analysis. The study sample was 85% female, and the mean age was 52.7 years. Meta-analysis indicated that telehealth exercise-based cancer rehabilitation significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI 0.20, 0.49, I2 = 42%, p < 0.001) and physical activity (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI, 0.17, 0.51, I2 = 71%, p < 0.001). It was uncertain whether telehealth exercise-based cancer rehabilitation, compared with guideline-based usual care, improved the quality of life (SMD = 0.23, 95%CI, -0.07, 0.52, I2 = 67%, p = 0.14) body mass index (MD = 0.46, 95% CI, -1.19, 2.12, I2 = 60%, p = 0.58) and muscle strength (SMD = 0.07, 95% CI, -0.14, 0.28, I2 = 37%, p = 0.51). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that telehealth exercise cancer rehabilitation could significantly increase cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels and decrease fatigue. It is uncertain whether these interventions improve quality of life and muscle strength. High-quality and robust studies are needed to investigate specific home-based exercise regimens in different cancer subgroups to increase the certainty of the evidence.

Effects of Home-Based Training with Internet Telehealth Guidance in COPD Patients Entering Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Telehealth rehabilitation may offer new opportunities in patient therapy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of internet-mediated telerehabilitation and compare them with the outcomes of conventional pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients. Methods: Electronic databases PubMed, Prospero, Scopus, and Cochrane were searched for randomized controlled trials from January 2005 to December 2021. Two investigators reviewed studies for relevance and extracted study population, methods, and results data. Results: Ten studies were eligible for systematic review from the initial selection (n = 1492). There was considerable heterogeneity in telerehabilitation approaches. Functional exercise capacity and quality of life were assessed in all studies. None of the results were inferior to conventional care. High adherence and high levels of safety were observed. Conclusion: Telerehabilitation in COPD patients is a safe therapy approach that increases and maintains functional exercise capacity and quality of life, making it an equivalent option to conventional outpatient rehabilitation. However, there is currently a lack of a unified approach to the composition of therapy and the use of technology, which needs to be addressed in the future.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a Comprehensive Remotely Supervised Rehabilitation Program: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent, intermittent partial or complete obstruction of the upper respiratory tract during sleep, which negatively affects the patient's daily quality of life (QoL). Middle-aged and older men who smoke and have obesity are most at risk. Even though the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during sleep remains the gold standard treatment, various rehabilitation methods, such as exercise, respiratory therapy, myofunctional therapy, and nutritional lifestyle interventions, also appear to be effective. Moreover, it is increasingly recommended to use alternative or additional therapy options in combination with CPAP therapy. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate if a comprehensive home-based, remotely supervised rehabilitation program (tele-RHB), in combination with standard therapy, can improve OSA severity by decreasing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI); improve objective parameters of polysomnographic, spirometric, anthropometric, and body composition examinations; improve lipid profile, maximal mouth pressure, and functional capacity tests; and enhance the subjective perception of QoL, as well as daytime sleepiness in male participants with moderate to severe OSA. Our hypothesis is that a combination of the tele-RHB program and CPAP therapy will be more effective by improving OSA severity and the abovementioned parameters. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial aims to recruit 50 male participants between the ages of 30 and 60 years with newly diagnosed moderate to severe OSA. Participants will be randomized 1:1, either to a 12-week tele-RHB program along with CPAP therapy or to CPAP therapy alone. After the completion of the intervention, the participants will be invited to complete a 1-year follow-up. The primary outcomes will be the polysomnographic value of AHI, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score, percentage of body fat, 6-minute walk test distance covered, as well as maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressure values. Secondary outcomes will include polysomnographic values of oxygen desaturation index, supine AHI, total sleep time, average heart rate, mean oxygen saturation, and the percentage of time with oxygen saturation below 90%; anthropometric measurements of neck, waist, and hip circumference; BMI values; forced vital capacity; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; World Health Organization's tool to measure QoL (WHOQOL-BREF) score; and lipid profile values. RESULTS: Study recruitment began on October 25, 2021, and the estimated study completion date is December 2024. Analyses will be performed to examine whether the combination of the tele-RHB program and CPAP therapy will be more effective in the reduction of OSA severity and improvement of QoL, body composition and circumferences, exercise tolerance, lipid profile, as well as respiratory muscle and lung function, compared to CPAP therapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: The study will evaluate the effect of a comprehensive tele-RHB program on selected parameters mentioned above in male participants. The results of this intervention could help the further development of novel additional therapeutic home-based options for OSA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04759456; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04759456. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/47460.

Comprehensive home-based telerehabilitation in a morbidly obese male patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation may be an effective additional treatment method in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Physical exercise, weight reduction, pulmonary rehabilitation, and myofunctional therapy (MT) represent beneficial components of rehabilitation recommended as a possible adjunct to standard OSA treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 54-year-old man with morbid obesity, long-lasting snoring, breathing pauses, frequent waking, as well as persistent drowsiness and fatigue during the day underwent polysomnography (PSG) to investigate suspected OSA. Severe OSA was confirmed by PSG and a 12-week comprehensive, home-based telerehabilitation program (tele-RHB program) along with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was implemented. The tele-RHB program included regular teleconsultations, aerobic-endurance training, MT, inspiratory and expiratory muscle training, as well as recommendations on proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and behavioral changes. Following the treatment, the patient's quality of life (QoL), exercise capacity, lung function, and OSA severity significantly improved. The patient achieved an overall 19.9 kg reduction in weight, of which 16.2 kg was body fat, and his apnea-hypopnea index decreased by 42.6 episodes/hour. CONCLUSION: Our case report suggests that the comprehensive home-based tele-RHB program adjunct to CPAP therapy may be a novel approach for improving OSA severity, a patient's QoL, exercise capacity, lung function and body composition. It is important to note that such a program should be optional, however it may be needed to achieve the highest possible overall improvement in a patient's life. Further clinical investigations are needed to determine the therapeutic efficacy and clinical potential of this tele-RHB program.

Role of the Inspiratory Muscles on Functional Performance From Critical Care to Hospital Discharge and Beyond in Patients With COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The role of inspiratory muscle performance in functional performance in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to perform a longitudinal examination of inspiratory and functional performance from intensive care unit (ICU) discharge (ICUD) to hospital discharge (HD) and symptoms at HD and 1 month after HD in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Thirty patients (19 men, 11 women) with COVID-19 were included. Examination of inspiratory muscle performance at ICUD and HD was performed with an electronic manometer, which provided the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and several other inspiratory measures. Examination of dyspnea and functional performance was performed at ICUD and HD with the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale and the 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1MSST), respectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 71 (SD = 11) years, the mean length of ICU stay was 9 (SD = 6) days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 26 (SD = 16) days. Most of the patients were diagnosed with severe COVID-19 (76.7%) and had a mean Charlson Comorbidity Index of 4.4 (SD = 1.9), reflecting high comorbidity. The mean MIP of the entire cohort increased minimally from ICUD to HD (from 36 [SD = 21] to 40 [SD = 20] cm H2O), reflecting predicted values for men and women at ICUD and HD of 46 (25%) to 51 (23%) and 37 (24%) to 37 (20%), respectively. The 1MSTS score increased significantly from ICUD to HD (9.9 [SD = 7.1] vs 17.7 [SD = 11.1]) for the entire cohort but remained far below population-based reference values (2.5th percentile) for the majority of patients at ICUD and HD. At ICUD, MIP was found to be a significant predictor of a favorable change in 1MSTS performance (ß = 0.308; odds ratio = 1.36) at HD. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in inspiratory and functional performance exists in patients with COVID-19 at both ICUD and HD, with a greater MIP at ICUD being a significant predictor of a greater 1MSTS score at HD. IMPACT: This study shows that inspiratory muscle training may be an important adjunct after COVID-19.

A temporal examination of inspiratory muscle strength and endurance in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: The two most common symptoms associated with COVID-19 are dyspnea and fatigue. One possible cause of such symptoms may be inspiratory muscle weakness. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine inspiratory muscle performance (IMP) from intensive care unit discharge (ICUD) to hospital discharge (HD) in patients with COVID-19 hypothesizing that IMP would be markedly depressed at both ICUD and HD. METHODS: IMP was examined at ICUD and HD via the PrO2 device (PrO2 Health, Smithfield, RI) which provided the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), sustained MIP (SMIP), inspiratory duration (ID), and fatigue index test (FIT). Patient symptoms were assessed at ICUD, HD, and 1-month post-HD. RESULTS: 30 patients (19 men, 11 women) with COVID-19 were included. The mean±SD age, BMI, and length of ICU and hospital stay was 71±11 yrs, 27.9 ± 6.3 kg/m, 9 ± 6 days, and 26±16 days, respectively. The mean±SD MIP, SMIP, ID, and FIT of the entire cohort at ICUD vs HD were 36±21 vs 40±20 cm H2O, 231±157 vs 297±182 PTU, 8.8 ± 4.2 vs 9.5 ± 4.6 s, and 9.0 ± 9.4 vs 13.1 ± 12.3, respectively, with only SMIP and FIT significantly greater at HD (p=.006 and 0.03, respectively). SMIP at HD was significantly related to resting dyspnea at HD (r=-0.40; p=.02). The SMIP and FIT of men were found to increase significantly from ICUD to HD, but no measure of IMP in the women increased significantly from ICUD to HD. At least one COVID-19-related symptom was present 1 month after HD with the most persistent symptoms being fatigue, cough, and dyspnea in 47%, 40%, and 37% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A significant reduction in IMP exists in patients with COVID-19 at both ICUD and HD and no measure of IMP in women was observed to increase significantly from ICUD to HD. Impaired inspiratory muscle endurance rather than strength was associated with greater dyspnea at HD.

Home-based cardio-oncology rehabilitation using a telerehabilitation platform in hematological cancer survivors: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular disease is a competing mortality cause in hematological cancer survivors due to toxic oncological treatment, accumulation of risk factors, and decline of cardiorespiratory fitness. Cardio-oncology rehabilitation (CORE) is an emerging treatment model to optimize the prognosis of hematological cancer patients and survivors; however, its accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic is poor. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effect of a 12-week home-based CORE intervention in telerehabilitation approach among hematological cancer survivors. METHODS: A prospective single-arm interventional study was conducted at a faculty hospital in Brno, Czech Republic. This study provided 12 weeks of the home-based CORE using a telerehabilitation approach that allows remote supervision by a clinician from a medical facility. The telerehabilitation approach consists of three components: a heart rate sensor (PolarM430, Kempele, Finland), a web platform compatible with the sensor, and telesupervising via telephone call (1 call per week). To improve adherence, a physiotherapist called participants to assess or address adverse effects, exercise feedback, and participant-related concerns. The anthropometry, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured immediately after the intervention. RESULTS: Eleven hematological cancer survivors with an average age of 60.3 ± 10 years participated in the study. Most participants were diagnosed with Follicular lymphoma and received maintenance treatment. Participants had a significant (p < 0.05) increase in cardiorespiratory fitness by 2.6 ml/kg/min; and in peak workload, from 143.3 ± 60.6 W to 158.6 ± 67.5 W (p < 0.05). Improvement in anthropometry and body composition was observed but yielded no statistical significance. Most (80%) participants completed the three times/per week telesupervising exercise session for 12 weeks.No adverse event was identified. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest that home-based CORE may provide hematological cancer survivors with an increase in CRF during the rehabilitation period after hospital discharge. The telerehabilitation CORE model is effective, feasible, safe, and has demonstrated good adherence. Further randomized controlled efficacy study with larger sample size is needed before clinical implementation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registration number NCT04822389 (30/03/2021).

The cost-effectiveness of exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation intervention: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Alternatives such as remotely delivered therapy in the home environment or telehealth represent an opportunity to increase overall cardiac rehabilitation (CR) utilization. Implementing alternatives into regular practice is the next step in development; however, the cost aspect is essential for policymakers. Limited economic budgets lead to cost-effectiveness analyses before implementation. They are appropriate in cases where there is evidence that the compared intervention provides a similar health benefit to usual care. This systematic review aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of exercise-based telehealth CR interventions compared to standard exercise-based CR. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed and Web of Science databases were systematically searched up to August 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials assessing patients undergoing telehealth CR. The intervention was compared to standard CR protocols. The primary intent was to identify the cost-effectiveness. Interventions that met the criteria were home-based telehealth CR interventions delivered by information and communications technology (telephone, computer, internet, or videoconferencing) and included the results of an economic evaluation, comparing interventions in terms of cost-effectiveness, utility, costs and benefits, or cost-minimization analysis. The systematic review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO Registry (CRD42022322531). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Out of 1525 identified studies, 67 articles were assessed for eligibility, and, at the end of the screening process, 12 studies were included in the present systematic review. Most studies (92%) included in this systematic review found strong evidence that exercise-based telehealth CR is cost-effective. Compared to CBCR, there were no major differences, except for three studies evaluating a significant difference in average cost per patient and intervention costs in favor of telehealth CR. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth CR based on exercise is as cost-effective as CBCR interventions. Funding telehealth CR by third-party payers may promote patient participation to increase overall CR utilization. High-quality research is needed to identify the most cost-effective design.

Adherence and Effect of Home-Based Rehabilitation with Telemonitoring Support in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study.

Home-based exercises have been on the rise recently. This pilot study aimed to assess the adherence and effect of a home-based rehabilitation programme using telemonitoring in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Twenty-seven patients with CNLBP were enrolled in the study, each of whom underwent a neurological assessment, including patient-oriented measures and a functional assessment-a battery of tests that comprehensively evaluated trunk muscle function. The rehabilitation programme lasted 18 weeks and included daily home-based exercises. A mobile application or an exercise diary was used to monitor compliance. Adherence to the programme was excellent for both the diary and mobile application groups, with 82.3% in the diary group exercising at least once a day and 72.9% twice a day, and 94.8% in the mobile application group exercising at least once a day and 86.6% twice a day. Both patient-oriented and functional outcomes improved significantly; however, the relative changes of the parameters in these two groups did not correlate, which supports the idea that trunk muscle function does not directly relate to patient complaints and that CNLBP is a multifactorial issue. This model of rehabilitation programme should be used in clinical practice, as its adherence and effectiveness seem noticeable.

Validity and reliability of automated treadmill six-minute walk test in patients entering exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Introduction: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a well-established tool for assessing submaximal functional capacity for cardiac patients, but space limitations challenge its implementation. Treadmill-based (TR) 6MWT is a promising alternative, but it requires patients to complete a familiarization test to adapt treadmill speed regulation. With the advancement of sensors, it is possible to automatically control speed for individual patients and thus overcome the space limitation or the speed control difficulty on the treadmill for each patient.Methods: This study investigated the validity and interchangeability of automated speed TR6MWT and standard hallway (HL) 6MWT. Eighteen patients were assessed at baseline of the 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program. Fourteen of them were assessed after rehabilitation. All patients performed three TR6MWTs and three HL6MWTs at baseline and one of each test after the program.Results: Patients well tolerated the TR6MWT. There was a strong correlation between both test methods (r = 0.79). However, patients performed significantly better in HL6MWT (514.8m ± 59.7m) than in TR6MWT (447.2 ± 79.1m) with 95% CI, 40.4-94.6m, p < 0.05. Both tests showed high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.86). The TR6MWT showed a valuable comparison of the effect of the cardiac rehabilitation program (20% increase, effect size 1.1) even though it is not interchangeable with the HL6MWT.Conclusion: The automated speed TR6MWT appears to be an acceptable tool with adequate validity, reliability, and responsiveness for assessing functional capacity in patients utilizing cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation and Telehealth: Rationale for Future Integration in Supportive Care of Cancer Survivors.

The direct toxicity of cancer treatment threatens patients and survivors with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or adverse functional changes with subsequent progression of cardiovascular complications. An accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors combined with an unhealthy lifestyle has recently become more common in cancer patients and survivors. It has been recommended to integrate a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation model called cardio-oncology rehabilitation to mitigate cardiovascular risk. Nevertheless, cardiac rehabilitation interventions limit barriers in low utilization, further exacerbated by the restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is essential to integrate alternative interventions such as telehealth, which can overcome several barriers. This literature review was designed as a framework for developing and evaluating telehealth interventions and mobile applications for comprehensive cardio-oncology rehabilitation. We identify knowledge gaps and propose strategies to facilitate the development and integration of cardio-oncology rehabilitation telehealth as an alternative approach to the standard of care for cancer patients and survivors. Despite the limited evidence, the pilot results from included studies support the feasibility and acceptability of telehealth and mobile technologies in cardio-oncology rehabilitation. This new area suggests that telehealth interventions are feasible and induce physiological and psychological benefits for cancer patients and survivors. There is an assumption that telehealth interventions and exercise may be an effective future alternative approach in supportive cancer care.

Intensive Circuit Class Therapy in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term physiotherapy is of considerable benefit to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have motor dysfunction or gait impairment. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a 12-week intensive circuit class therapy for patients with MS, with a wider focus on fatigue and gait ability. METHODS: A total of 46 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were divided randomly into 2 groups: 23 patients (mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 2.33 ± 0.74) participated in an intensive 12-week course of intensive circuit class therapy, and 23 patients (mean EDSS 2.04 ± 0.63) served as a control group. The EDSS, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Four-Stage Balance Test (FSBT) made up the physical testing part, supplemented by questionnaires such as the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Significant improvements were found among intensive circuit class therapy-exercising patients in FSBT (p < 0.05), TUG test (p < 0.01), MFIS (p < 0.01), BDI (p < 0.05), MSWS-12 (p < 0.05) and the 3 subscales of SF-36 after 12 weeks of intensive circuit class therapy, while there were no significant changes in the control group. CONCLUSION: Intensive circuit class therapy is an effective therapeutic approach for improving gait and balance problems in patients with MS. It has also proved to alleviate fatigue and symptoms of depression.

Test of incremental respiratory endurance as home-based, stand-alone therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing worldwide, and at the same time it is associated with increased mortality and reduced quality of life. Efforts to build sustainable rehabilitation approaches to COPD treatment and prevention are crucial. The system of long-term pulmonary rehabilitation care is insufficient. The main reasons for the absence of these outpatient programs are the lack of experience, the lack of interest of insurance companies in secondary prevention programs, and the lack of healthcare facilities in large geographical areas. The possibility of at-home pulmonary rehabilitation models (telemonitoring and telecoaching) could solve this problem. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old man with severe COPD, Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Diseases stage 3 underwent an 8-wk remotely monitored inspiratory muscle training with a device based on the test of incremental respiratory endurance method. Spirometry, body plethysmography, test of incremental respiratory endurance examination, 6-min walking test, body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, exercise capacity index, and subjective perception of dyspnea were performed as part of the initial and final examination. The patient performed training at home, and the physiotherapist monitored the patient remotely through a web application that allowed the physiotherapist to evaluate all training parameters in real-time and respond to any problems. After 8 wk of home training, there was a significant increase in all monitored values: maximal inspiratory pressure, a novel parameter sustained maximal inspiratory pressure, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, total lung capacity, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and inspiratory capacity. There was also an improvement in the perception of dyspnea according to the COPD Assessment Test and a modified Medical Research Council Breathlessness Scale, an increase in exercise tolerance according to the 6-min walking test, and a decrease in the exercise capacity index as a predictor of prognosis. CONCLUSION: Respiratory telerehabilitation was greatly beneficial in a cooperative patient with COPD and may represent an alternative therapeutic approach to the increasing incidence of all lung diseases.

Validity and Reliability of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale in the Czech Republic (CRBS-CZE): Determination of Key Barriers in East-Central Europe.

Cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) is an effective secondary preventive model of care. However, the use of CR is insufficient, and the reasons for this are not well-characterized in East-Central Europe. This prospective observational study psychometrically validated the recently translated Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale for the Czech language (CRBS-CZE) and identified the main CR barriers. Consecutive cardiac in/out-patients were approached from January 2020 for 18 months, of whom 186 (89.9%) consented. In addition to sociodemographic characteristics, participants completed the 21-item CRBS-CZE (response options 1-5, with higher scores representing greater barriers), and their CR utilization was tracked. Forty-five (24.2%) participants enrolled in CR, of whom 42 completed the CRBS a second time thereafter. Factor analysis revealed four factors, consistent with other CRBS translations. Internal reliability was acceptable for all but one factor (Cronbach's alpha range = 0.44-0.77). Mean total barrier scores were significantly higher in non-enrollers (p < 0.001), decreased from first and second administration in these enrollers (p < 0.001), and were lower in CR completers (p < 0.001), supporting criterion validity. There were also significant differences in barrier scores by education, geography, tobacco use, among other variables, further supporting validity. The biggest barriers to enrolment were distance, work responsibilities, lack of time, transportation problems, and comorbidities; and the greatest barriers to adherence were distance and travel. Several items were considered irrelevant at first and second administration. Other barriers included wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study demonstrated sufficient validity and reliability of CRBS-CZE, which supports its use in future research.

Is the Training Intensity in Phase Two Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Different in Telehealth versus Outpatient Rehabilitation?

Telehealth cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a feasible and effective alternative to conventional outpatient CR. Present evidence is limited on the comparison of exercise intensity adherence in telehealth and outpatient CR. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare training intensity adherence through 12-week phase II CR in telehealth and outpatient CR. A sample of 56 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with a mean age of 56.7 ± 7.1 entering comprehensive secondary prevention phase II was randomized into telehealth CR (n = 28) and control outpatient CR (n = 28) groups. The primary outcome was a comparison of training intensity adherence in both CR models and heart rate (HR) response from individual CR sessions, expressed by the HR reserve percentage. As a result, the parameter HR reserve percentage as the total average of the training intensity during the telehealth intervention and the outpatient CR did not differ statistically (p = 0.63). There was no death case, and all severe adverse cases required medical admission throughout an exercise training session in study subjects in both groups. This research evidence demonstrated that the telehealth CR model is similar in training intensities to the conventional outpatient CR in CAD patients with low to moderate cardiovascular risk.

Home-Based Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Interventions in Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review.

Cancer is a chronic disease requiring long-term treatment. Exercise interventions are increasingly being recognized as an important part of treatment and supportive cancer care for patients and survivors. Previous reviews have evaluated the benefits of exercise interventions in populations of patients under supervision at a center, but none have explored the possibilities of a home-based (HB) approach in exercise during cancer rehabilitation and the period immediately following the end of cancer treatment. The aim of this descriptive systematic review was to identify the literature focusing on the health effects of HB exercise interventions in cancer survivors and to evaluate the methodological quality of the examined studies. Relevant studies were identified by a systematic search of PubMed and the Web of Science until January 2021. Nine randomized controlled trials were included. Most studies were on aerobic and resistance exercises, and the frequency, duration, intensity, and modality varied across the different interventions. Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity (PA) levels, fatigue, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and body composition have been reported. However, all the studies were limited in methodology and the reporting of results. Nevertheless, the evidence in this new area, despite the methodological limitations of the studies, suggests that HB exercise interventions are feasible, and may provide physiological and psychological benefits for cancer survivors during the rehabilitation period. A methodologically rigorous design for future research is essential for making progress in this field of study.

Cardiac rehabilitation and its essential role in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of mortality worldwide. They are frequently the reasons for patient hospitalization, their incapability for work, and disability. These diseases represent a significant socio-economic burden affecting the medical system as well as patients and their families. It has been demonstrated that the etiopathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases is significantly affected by lifestyle, and so modification of the latter is an essential component of both primary and secondary prevention. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) represents an efficient secondary prevention model that is especially based on the positive effect of regular physical activity. This review presents an overview of basic information on CR with a focus on current trends, such as the issue of the various training modalities, utilization, and barriers to it or the use of telemedicine technologies. Appropriate attention should be devoted to these domains, as CR continues evolving as an effective and readily available intervention in the future.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Based on the Walking Test and Telerehabilitation Improved Cardiorespiratory Fitness in People Diagnosed with Coronary Heart Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study investigated an alternative home-based cardiac telerehabilitation model in consideration of the recommendations for the COVID-19 quarantine of people diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD). We hypothesized that using a 200 m fast walking test (200 mFWT) and telerehabilitation would create an effective alternative cardiac rehabilitation (CR) intervention that could improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants (n = 19, mean age 60.4 ± 9.6) of the 8-week intervention performed regular physical exercise at the target heart rate zone determined by calculations based on the 200 mFWT results. In our study, the participants were supervised using telerehabilitation. A total of 84% of participants completed the 8-week intervention. No adverse events were reported during telerehabilitation. The study participants noted a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in cardiorespiratory fitness expressed by an 8% reduction in the walking test time (Δ 8.8 ± 5.9 s). Home-based telerehabilitation based on 200 mFWT effectively increased the cardiorespiratory fitness in people with CHD with a low to moderate cardiovascular risk. This was a novel approach in CR during the COVID-19 pandemic. As research in this area is justified, this paper may serve as an alternative method of providing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and as a basis for further upcoming randomized controlled trials.

Long-term exercise effects after cardiac telerehabilitation in patients with coronary artery disease: 1-year follow-up results of the randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Home-based cardiac telerehabilitation (HBCT) is a feasible and effective alternative to traditional center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR). Currently, there are only limited studies focusing on a long-term effect of HBCT, which means it is essential to do more research in this study field. AIM: This study aimed at investigating a 1-year effect of a randomized controlled study using Cardiac Rehabilitation through the Global Position System (CR-GPS) compared to outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Study focused on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with coronary heart disease (CAD). DESIGN: A long-term follow-up of a randomized study. SETTING: Patients were enrolled, and the intervention was performed in an outpatient or home-based model. The results were obtained and evaluated in a hospital. POPULATION: Patients who participated in the CR-GPS study were diagnosed with CAD with low to moderate cardiovascular risk. METHODS: Patients enrolled in the study were eligible participants who had previously completed a 12-week HBCT program using a wrist heart rate (HR) monitor or attended a traditional CBCR. Primary outcome was the change in CRF expressed in peak oxygen uptake (pVO2), and the secondary outcomes were self-reported HRQL, objectively measured anthropometric characteristics, and mortality and hospitalization rates. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (76%) completed the long-term follow-up. The average peak of pVO2 was higher after 1-year follow-up in the telerehabilitation group (HBCT 25.5 mL/kg/min compared to the active control group CBCR 23.6 mL/kg/min P=0.047). No statistically significant difference between the two groups was found after long-term follow-up for the parameter HRQL. For both groups, there was a significant improvement in the range of perceptions of general health. There was no death case and no difference in hospitalization rate between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the HBCT model. It has been demonstrated that it induces satisfactory long-term effects in pVO2, exercise performance, and perceived general health in CAD patients with low to moderate cardiovascular risk. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Cardiovascular telerehabilitation using wrist HR monitors is a feasible and effective rehabilitation method that can help patients eliminate barriers that prevent them from using CBCR programs. Especially in the current global situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, this topic is becoming increasingly important.

Effect of home-based high-intensity interval training using telerehabilitation among coronary heart disease patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases are the world's most common causes of morbidity and mortality in the population, including Central Europe. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an effective preventive approach that includes several core components. Physical training is identified as an integral and essential part of CR. Training can positively influence several cardiovascular risk factors in people diagnosed with coronary heart disease and prevent them from clinical events. Our study aims to research the method of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in a home environment using telerehabilitation. We assume that the HIIT form of telerehabilitation, using a heart rate monitor as a tool for backing up training data, can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and lead to higher peak oxygen uptake than the traditional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). METHODS: This study is designed as a monocentral randomized controlled trial at University Hospital Brno in the Czech Republic. After the coronary heart event, the suitable patients will be randomized (1:1 ratio) and separated into 2 groups: the experimental HIIT group and the control MICT group. Both groups undergo a 12-week telerehabilitation with a 1-year follow-up period. Study participants will be telemonitored during physical training in their home environment via a heart rate monitor and a web platform. Once a week, the patients will give their feedback and motivation by a telephone call.The primary outcome observed will be the effect of intervention expressed by changes in cardiorespiratory fitness. Secondary outcomes will be the health-related quality of life, anxiety, training adherence, body composition, safety, and satisfaction. DISCUSSION: The HIIT is widely researched predominantly in a center-based supervised form. Our study differs from others by the use of telemedicine and smart technologies in home-based settings. Previous home-based cardiac telerehabilitation studies have focused primarily on MICT, which has demonstrated feasibility, and results have shown similar improvements as center-based CR. There is a presumption that HIIT may be superior to MICT. However, it can be complicated to self-dose the method in the home environment. Investigators expect that HIIT research will provide insight into the possibilities of telemedicine feasibility, effect, and limitations of coronary heart disease patients' use at low to moderate cardiovascular risk.