The Cognitive and spOrt Virtual EPIC Training Study for Cardiovascular Diseases

The Cognitive and spOrt Virtual EPIC Training Study: Investigating the Effects of Home-based Exercise and Cognitive Training in Cardiovascular Diseases

COVEPICARDIO trial is designed to document the effects of remote monitoring of physical exercise and home-based cognitive training on cognitive and physical functions in older adults with cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a class I level A recommendation with clinical benefits that are now well documented. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, accessibility to rehabilitation services and exercise training programs are limited. Quarantine measures can induce collateral damages to cardiovascular and psychological health, in particular in clinical population. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are associated with cognitive deficits and increased risk of dementia later in life. Specifically for CVD, physical inactivity and excessive sedentary lifestyle induced by confinement decrease cardiorespiratory capacity, increase the risk of acute events and rehospitalization. Maintaining a minimum of physical activity during a health crisis is fundamental. In this context, our team has developed an innovative program of exercise and cognitive training at home. Considering the added benefits of combining cognitive training to physical exercise to further enhance health and cognition in seniors with CVD, this project also addresses the added benefits of a multidomain intervention combining a home-based physical exercise intervention with a cognitive training.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 50 and older
• Have access to internet
• Have access to a tablet (i.e., iPad or Android) or a computer
• Diagnostic of cardiovascular disease (stable chronic systolic or diastolic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, documented atherosclerotic disease).
• Able to do light to moderate aerobic exercice training
• With no contraindication to exercise training

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-cardiopulmonary limitation to exercise (e.g., arthritis)
• Severe exercise intolerance
• Respiratory disease (e.g., asthma, COPD, COVID-19)
• Mini Mental Scale Examination (MMSE) telephone version lower than 19/23