%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications Inc.
%V 16
%N 10
%P e242
%T Evaluating the Interactive Web-Based Program, Activate Your Heart, for Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients: A Pilot Study
%A Brough,Christopher
%A Boyce,Sally
%A Houchen-Wolloff,Linzy
%A Sewell,Louise
%A Singh,Sally
%+ Centre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QP, United Kingdom, 44 01162502760, christopher.brough@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
%K Activate Your Heart
%K coronary heart disease
%K cardiac rehabilitation
%K Internet
%K Web-based
%D 2014
%7 29.10.2014
%9 Original Paper
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X Background: Conventional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are traditionally based on time-constrained, structured, group-based programs, usually set in hospitals or leisure centers. Uptake for CR remains poor, despite the ongoing evidence demonstrating its benefits. Additional alternative forms of CR are needed. An Internet-based approach may offer an alternative mode of delivering CR that may improve overall uptake. Activate Your Heart (AYH) is a Web-based CR program that has been designed to support individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD). Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to observe the outcome for participants following the AYH program. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational trial, recruiting low-risk patients with CHD. Measures of exercise, exercise capacity, using the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT), dietary habits, and psychosocial well-being were conducted by a CR specialist at baseline and at 8 weeks following the Web-based intervention. Results: We recruited 41 participants; 33 completed the program. We documented significant improvements in the ISWT distance (mean change 49.69 meters, SD 68.8, P<.001), and Quality of Life (QOL) (mean change 0.28, SD 0.4, P<.001). Dietary habits improved with an increased proportion of patients consuming at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day, (22 [71%] to 29 [94%] P=.01) and an increased proportion of patients consuming at least 2 portions of oily fish per week (14 [45%] to 21 [68%], P=.01). We did not detect changes in anxiety and depression scores or exercise behavior. Conclusions: We observed important improvements in exercise capacity, QOL, and dietary habits in a group of participants following a Web-based CR program. The program may offer an alternative approach to CR. A mobile version has been developed and we need to conduct further trials to establish its value compared to supervised CR. 
%M 25359204
%R 10.2196/jmir.3027
%U http://www.jmir.org/2014/10/e242/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3027
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25359204