Cardiac rehabilitation phase II outcomes prior and during COVID

Background: The COVID pandemic limited access to many Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) outpatient programs. Objective: The study aimed to examine the outcomes of patients in CR Phase II prior and during the pandemic. Methods: A single-site retrospective review of CR patients during 2019 (pre-COVID) and 2020 (COVID era) was performed. A linear mixed method explored the effect of COVID on 6-minute walk (6MWT), metabolic equivalents (METs), and quality of life (QOL). A generalized linear mixed method was used to explore the effect of COVID and CR on depression (PHQ-9). Results: Two-hundred and twelve patients were included. CR significantly improved 6MWT (b = 331.45, 95% CI: 295.62 similar to 367.36), METs (b = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.55 similar to 2.03), and QOL (b = 1.46, 95% CI: 0.81 similar to 2.12). Significant interaction (P interaction = 0.04) between COVID and pre-post intervention was found for PHQ-9. Conclusions: During COVID, patients perceived increased depression and poorer QOL. However, all outcomes improved significantly following CR.

Automated summary

During the COVID pandemic, patients experienced increased depression and poorer quality of life. However, significant improvements were observed in all outcomes following completion of Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR).