Health and Social Inequalities in the Uptake of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Northern Ireland: an Alternative Program for Non-attenders: (2) a Randomised Controlled Trial.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most important cause of life years lost in Northern Ireland (NI). A recently updated Cochrane review (Joliffe et al, 2003) confirmed the findings of earlier meta-analyses (O'Connor et al, 1989; Oldridge et al, 1988) which indicated that participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) reduces mortality after MI. The earlier work demonstrated a reduction of 20-25% in all-cause and cardiac mortality. The recent work allowed analysis of an increased number of patients (8440 in 32 trials) and reported a reduction in total cardiac mortality of up to 31%. Participation in CR after MI also improves well-being and reduces disability (NHS, 1998). However, informal reports suggest that only approximately 50% of patients actually attend a hospital based program.

The hypothesis to be tested is that for those who chose not to attend formal CR, a home-based walking program is an acceptable alternative.

This programme of work entails two separate study designs. To evaluate the home-based walking program, we plan a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Randomisation of subjects to study groups will follow determination of eligibility to participate. Participants randomised to the experimental group will be asked to walk for up to 30 minutes, 5-days per week. They will be requested to record aspects of their walking in a diary, including time, intensity and number of steps taken (recorded using a pedometer).

Qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews will be used to explore the experiences of those allocated to the intervention group. The attitudes and experiences of other non-attenders of CR who declined to participate in the trial will be explored in focus groups. Three focus groups each containing 8 participants are planned.

Focus group transcripts will be analysed independently by two observers using a computer program (NUDIST) to identify themes and develop questions for the semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the semi-structured interviews will be descriptive, responses being categorised into themes as appropriate.