TY - JOUR T1 - Digital home-based multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation: How to counteract physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic JO - Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia T2 - AU - Pinto,Rita AU - Pires,Madalena Lemos AU - Borges,Mariana AU - Pinto,Mariana Liñan AU - Sousa Guerreiro,Catarina AU - Miguel,Sandra AU - Santos,Olga AU - Ricardo,Inês AU - Cunha,Nelson AU - Alves da Silva,Pedro AU - Correia,Ana Luísa AU - Fiúza,Sílvia AU - Caldeira,Edite AU - Salazar,Fátima AU - Rodrigues,Carla AU - Cordeiro Ferreira,Mariana AU - Afonso,Gisela AU - Araújo,Graça AU - Martins,Joana AU - Ramalhinho,Marta AU - Sousa,Paula AU - Pires,Susana AU - Jordão,Alda AU - Pinto,Fausto J. AU - Abreu,Ana SN - 08702551 M3 - 10.1016/j.repc.2021.05.013 DO - 10.1016/j.repc.2021.05.013 UR - https://revportcardiol.org/pt-digital-home-based-multidisciplinary-cardiac-rehabilitation-articulo-S0870255121004637 AB - Introduction and ObjectivesCenter-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have been forced to close due to COVID-19. Alternative delivery models to maintain access to CR programs and to avoid physical inactivity should be considered. The aim of this study was to assess physical activity (PA) levels after completing a home-based digital CR program. MethodsA total of 116 cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients (62.6±8.9 years, 95 male) who had been attending a face-to-face CR program were recruited and assessed (baseline and at three months) on the following parameters: PA, sedentary behavior, adherence, cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular symptoms, feelings toward the pandemic, dietary habits, risk factor control, safety and adverse events. The intervention consisted of a multidisciplinary digital CR program, including regular patient assessment, and exercise, educational and psychological group sessions. ResultsNinety-eight CVD patients successfully completed all the online assessments (15.5% drop-out rate). A favorable main effect of time was an increase in moderate to vigorous PA and a decrease in sedentary time at three months. Almost half of the participants completed at least one online exercise training session per week and attended at least one of the online educational sessions. No major adverse events were reported and only one minor event occurred. ConclusionDuring the pandemic, levels of moderate to vigorous PA improved after three months of home-based CR in CVD patients with previous experience in a face-to-face CR model. Diversified CR programs with a greater variety of content tailored to individual preferences are needed to meet the motivational and clinical requirements of CVD patients. ER -