Cardiac rehabilitation phase II outcomes prior and during COVID

Background: The COVID pandemic limited access to many Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) outpatient programs. Objective: The study aimed to examine the outcomes of patients in CR Phase II prior and during the pandemic. Methods: A single-site retrospective review of CR patients during 2019 (pre-COVID) and 2020 (COVID era) was performed. A linear mixed method explored the effect of COVID on 6-minute walk (6MWT), metabolic equivalents (METs), and quality of life (QOL). A generalized linear mixed method was used to explore the effect of COVID and CR on depression (PHQ-9). Results: Two-hundred and twelve patients were included. CR significantly improved 6MWT (b = 331.45, 95% CI: 295.62 similar to 367.36), METs (b = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.55 similar to 2.03), and QOL (b = 1.46, 95% CI: 0.81 similar to 2.12). Significant interaction (P interaction = 0.04) between COVID and pre-post intervention was found for PHQ-9. Conclusions: During COVID, patients perceived increased depression and poorer QOL. However, all outcomes improved significantly following CR.