The Healthy Heart Study

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Interventions: Behavioral: Referral to center-based cardiac rehab; Behavioral: Referral to home-based cardiac rehab

• Registration Number: NCT02105246
• Lead Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

Brief Summary

The long-term goal of this research is to improve patient-centered outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death in the world. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs decrease mortality and improve quality of life in patients with CHD. Published guidelines recommend exercise-based CR following hospitalization for myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, or percutaneous coronary revascularization.

Despite these compelling benefits, CR programs are vastly underutilized, with less than a third of eligible patients participating. One promising solution is greater implementation of home-based CR. Both home and center-based CR programs have equal benefits on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life. However, similar efficacy does not necessarily translate into similar effectiveness. If patients are more likely to participate in home- vs. center-based therapy, then greater participation could lead to greater clinical effectiveness. We are therefore conducting a quasi-experimental, controlled trial at two VA medical centers to determine the comparative effectiveness of referral to home- vs. center-based CR in patients with CHD.

Aim 1: Determine whether automatic referral to home- vs. center-based CR increases patient participation in CR after hospitalization for myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization.

Aim 2: Among patients who choose to participate in CR, compare the effectiveness of home- vs. center-based CR on six-minute walk distance, quality of life, and healthcare expenditures.

Aim 3: Determine whether the effects of home vs. center-based CR differ by age, gender, race, ethnicity, employment, socioeconomic status, social support, comorbid conditions, or patient preference.

Results from this study will (a) help policy makers determine the effect of covering home CR on healthcare expenditures in patients with CHD; (b) help providers understand the potential benefits and harms of home- vs. center-based CR; and (c) help patients answer questions like, "Given my personal circumstances and preferences, which of these options will improve the outcomes most important to me".

Detailed Description

The long-term goal of this research is to improve patient-centered outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is the leading cause of death in the world. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs decrease mortality and improve quality of life in patients with CHD. Published guidelines recommend exercise-based CR following hospitalization for myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, or percutaneous coronary revascularization, and referral to CR is one of nine performance measures established by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology for patients with CHD.

Despite these compelling benefits, CR programs are vastly underutilized, with less than a third of eligible patients participating. The largest barrier to patient participation is that CR must be provided in a physician's office or hospital setting to qualify for reimbursement. For this reason, virtually all existing CR programs require that the patient travel to a CR center 3 times per week for 12 to 36 weeks. Unfortunately, many Americans live too far from a CR center to enroll, and even when nearby programs are available, many patients do not have the time, flexibility, transportation, social support, and/or financial resources to attend.

One promising solution to the problem of CR under-utilization is greater implementation of home-based CR. Both home and center-based CR programs have equal benefits on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life. However, similar efficacy does not necessarily translate into similar effectiveness. If patients are more likely to participate in home- vs. center-based therapy, then greater participation could lead to greater clinical effectiveness. We are therefore conducting a quasi-experimental, controlled trial at two VA medical centers to determine the comparative effectiveness of referral to home- vs. center-based CR in patients with CHD.

Aim 1: Determine whether automatic referral to home- vs. center-based CR increases patient participation in CR after hospitalization for myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization.

Aim 2: Among patients who choose to participate in CR, compare the effectiveness of home- vs. centerbased CR on six-minute walk distance, quality of life, and healthcare expenditures.

Aim 3: Determine whether the effects of home vs. center-based CR differ by age, gender, race, ethnicity, employment, socioeconomic status, social support, comorbid conditions, or patient preference.

Results from this study will (a) help policy makers determine the effect of covering home CR on healthcare expenditures in patients with CHD; (b) help providers understand the potential benefits and harms of home- vs. center-based CR; and (c) help patients answer questions like, "Given my personal circumstances and preferences, which of these options will improve the outcomes most important to me.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2014-04-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-04-04
• Study First Posted: 2014-04-07
• Study Start: 2015-07-15
• Primary Completion: 2018-03-31
• Study Completion: 2018-03-31
• Results First Submitted: 2018-06-01
• Status Verified: 2019-01
• Results First Submitted QC: 2019-01-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-01-03
• Results First Posted: 2019-04-01
• Last Update Posted: 2019-04-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1154

Inclusion Criteria

Post MI, CABG, or PCI Able to speak, read and write in english

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Exclusion Criteria

Class IV CHF Unstable Angina Complex Ventricular Arrythmias EF <35% without AICD AICD candidate Resting SBP >200mmHG Resting DBP>110mmHG Cognitive Impairment by MoCA Score <26 Life expectancy <1 year

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Home-based	Referral to center-based cardiac rehab	Referral to a home-based cardiac rehabilitation program (intervention).
Center-based	Referral to home-based cardiac rehab	Referral to a center-based cardiac rehabilitation program (standard of care).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation	12 Months	Number of eligible patients who participated in at least one cardiac rehabilitation exercise session.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center; 🇺🇸 San Francisco, California, United States