Even in patients over 75, comprehensive outpatient cardiac rehabilitation may benefit those with cardiovascular disease

Junko Sudani, Kotaro Hirakawa, Atsuko Nakayama, Kentaro Hori, Kotaro Takizawa
Purpose:

To investigate the effect of CR on physical function in CVD patients aged 75 years and older.

Methods:

The present study was a single-centre, retrospective study involving patients over 75 years who completed a 3-month multidisciplinary CR program based mainly on aerobic exercise with self-care instructions at Sakakibara Heart Institute between April 2018 and March 2024. Patients were included after discharge from the hospital due to cardiovascular disease with or without surgery and catheterisation, as well as patients with chronic heart failure. Changes in the skeletal mass index (SMI) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, isometric knee extension strength (IKES), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) were assessed at the beginning and the end of CR. Paired-sample t-test was used to determine the effects of CR.

Results:

The 362 patients (median age 79 years (75-92); 44% female) were included in the study. There were significant differences in the change of SMI (6.6kg/m2 vs. 6.7kg/m2, p＜0.01), IKES (42%BW vs. 47%BW, p＜0.01), SPPB (11.6points vs. 11.8points, p＜0.01) and peak VO2 (16.4mL/kg/min vs. 17.6mL/kg/min, p＜0.01).

Conclusion(s):

Multidisciplinary CR programs could positively affect physical function even in CVD patients aged 75 years and older.

Implications:

A comprehensive, multidisciplinary programme comprising exercise therapy and self-care instructions can be a safe and beneficial treatment strategy for very elderly patients with cardiovascular disease in an increasingly ageing society.

Funding acknowledgements:
The presenters have no financial conflicts of interest to disclose concerning the study.
Keywords:
cardiac rehabilitation
cardiovascular
older people
Primary topic:
Cardiorespiratory
Second topic:
Older people
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Sakakibara Heart Institute IRB
Provide the ethics approval number:
20-084
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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