Article

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a physical
activity telemonitoring program on daily physical activity level, oxygen uptake
capacity (VO(2peak)), and cardiovascular risk profile in coronary artery disease
(CAD) patients who completed phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR). METHODS:
Eighty CAD patients who completed phase II CR were randomly assigned to an
additional telemonitoring intervention or standard CR. The patients in the
intervention group (n = 40) wore a motion sensor continuously for 18 weeks. Each
week these patients received a step count goal, with the aim to gradually
increase the patients' physical activity level. In the control group (n = 40),
the patients wore an unreadable motion sensor for seven days for measurement
purposes only (at start of follow-up, and after six and 18 weeks). At start of
follow-up and after 18 weeks blood lipid profile, glycemic control, waist
circumference and body mass index was assessed. VO(2peak) was assessed at start
of follow-up, and after six and 18 weeks. Re-hospitalisation rate was followed
during this timeframe. RESULTS: In the intervention group, VO(2peak) increased
significantly during follow-up (P = 0.001), in the control group it did not (P =
0.273). A significant correlation was found between daily aerobic step count and
improvement in VO(2peak) (P = 0.030, r = 0.47). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis
showed a trend towards fewer re-hospitalisations for patients in the
telemonitoring group (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that, to maintain
exercise tolerance and lower re-hospitalisation rate after hospital-based CR in
CAD patients, a physical activity telemonitoring program might be an effective
intervention.
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Langue : ANGLAIS