Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial to Promote Physical Activity Through Home Exercise After Cardiac Rehabilitation

The goal of this pragmatic randomized clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of a hybrid model of cardiac rehabilitation with a centre-based program in people with cardiovascular disease. The main question it aims to answer is:

• How effective is a hybrid model of CR for people with cardiovascular disease living in a francophone minority community compared to a centre-based model of CR in terms of leading to maintenance of gains (physical activity level, functional capacity, mental health, quality of life) six months after CR? Participants will undergo a 12-week hybrid cardiac rehabilitation program. For the first six weeks, patients will be required to attend the hospital twice a week. After that, there will be a gradual increase in home sessions for the remaining six weeks. When a patient has a home session, health professionals will follow up with a weekly phone call.

Researchers will compare the centre-based cardiac rehabilitation program with the hybrid program to see if the hybrid program can better maintain the level of physical activity, mental health, functional capacity, and quality of life six months after the end of the program.