Training adherence in early cardiac rehabilitation: EFFECT OF EXERCISE SESSION DURATION.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the prolongation of exercise sessions (from 40 to 60 minutes) on training adherence in the rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).


METHODS
In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 417 CAD patients (mean age = 63 +/- 10 years, 78% males) followed a 7-week exercise training intervention, 3 sessions each week, at 65% of the maximal oxygen uptake capacity. Subjects were randomly assigned to 40-minute (n = 198) or 60-minute (n = 219) exercise sessions, with equal time distribution on the different exercise modalities (42%-treadmill, 33%-bike, and 25%-arm cranking device, in each session). During the exercise training intervention, dropout, as well as the reasons for dropout, was registered.


RESULTS
At 7 weeks of exercise training, dropout rate was comparable between groups ( approximately 19.9%, P > .05). However, patients with acute myocardial infarction and/or coronary artery bypass graft surgery were more likely to complete the exercise training intervention (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The prolongation of the exercise sessions does not interfere with the training adherence in the early rehabilitation of CAD patients.
Hansen
Dominique
D
Rehabilitation and Health Centre, Virga Jesse Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium.
Berger
Jan
J
Dendale
Paul
P
De Rybel
Rudy
R
Meeusen
Romain
R
D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome