Can low risk cardiac patients be ‘fast tracked’ to Phase IV community exercise schemes for cardiac rehabilitation? A randomised controlled trial

Effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness: A meta-analysis of UK studies

“…A number of these factors concern how exercise is reported in terms of the FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type) principles which are the basis of prescription. Few studies reported all four FITT principles and, in agreement with a review of international studies [14], intensity was least-often reported [36,38,39] despite evidence for its importance in promoting beneficial adaptations to exercise [40]. None of the studies included here reported data on exercise intensity.…”

“…None of the studies included here reported data on exercise intensity. Instead authors provided the range of intensities prescribed at each CR centre (e.g.65-80%HRR [38]; 60-80%HRR [36,39].…”

“…A true MCID for ISWT performance that is associated with improved HRQoL, morbidity and mortality is yet to be identified. Guyatt et al [39] identified an MCID of 30 m in the 6MWT over 30 years ago. The 6MWT is more-often used in patients with heart failure [38] but a meta-analysis of the tests responsiveness to CR reported a 70…”

Reporting in randomized trials published in International Journal of Cardiology in 2011 compared to the recommendations made in CONSORT 2010

“…Among the remaining 28 articles , 4 were excluded because they were cohort studies [6,7,9,12], and 4 additional non randomized controlled trials [5,10,19,24] were also excluded. Consequently, a total of 20 reports [2][3][4]8,11,[13][14][15][16][17][18][20][21][22][23][25][26][27][28][29] remained for analysis. Table 1 shows the detail of methodological quality evaluation according to CONSORT 2010 statement.…”

“…Meanwhile, there were nine trials (45%) reporting badly, only reporting 30% or less methodological items. The approach to estimation of sample size was reported in 9 (45%) articles [2][3][4]11,13,16,22,25,29]. Randomization methods were reported in four trials (20%) [22,[25][26][27], with all generated by computers.…”