Destination Cardiac Rehab: A Multicenter Feasibility Clinical Trial of an Enhanced Virtual World-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Intervention to Improve Cardiovascular Health and Outcomes Among Cardiac Patients
Destination Cardiac Rehab: A Multicenter Feasibility Clinical Trial of an Enhanced Virtual World-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Intervention to Improve Cardiovascular Health and Outcomes Among Cardiac Patients
A single-group, multi-center, non-randomized clinical trial will be conducted to assess the feasibility of implementing an enhanced virtual world-based cardiac rehabilitation (VWCR) program within a muti-site clinical trial.
Inclusion Criteria:
Indication for CR according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines (diagnosed within the preceding 12 months) to include one or more of the following:
Receiving care at one of the participating CR centers
Age ≥18 years
Basic Internet navigation skills
Active email address
Access to Internet at home or public access (church, library, etc) for 3 virtual visits per week
Exclusion Criteria:
High risk patients according to the AACVPR risk stratification44 given safety concern of unsupervised exercise
Pregnancy (due to associated hormonal and weight changes) per patient report
Receiving continuous inotropic support
Presence of a mechanical circulatory support device
Decompensated heart failure
Symptomatic valvular heart disease
Uncontrolled angina
Presence of hemodynamically unstable dysrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia) given safety concern of unsupervised exercise
Visual/hearing impairment or mental disability that would preclude independent use of the VW platform
Non-English-speaking patients due to logistical challenges with real time translation over a virtual platform
Currently participating in a cardiac rehab program