Affiliations: [a]
Physiotherapy Department, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Mater Private Network Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| [b]
Heart and Vascular Centre, Mater Private Network Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| [c]
Centre of Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Ms Alexandra Wlazlik - Supernak, Physiotherapy Department, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Mater Private Network Hospital, Citygate, Mahon, Cork T12K199, Ireland. Tel.: +35 216013215; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:In March 2020, on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer, routine elective hospital medical activity was suspended and a national ‘stay at home order’ was implemented for a period of 16 weeks in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Most hospitals suspended their Cardiac Rehabilitation services. Many older adults did not receive the medical help they needed. This will have an impact on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) now and thereafter. OBJECTIVE:Explore the effect of Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation VCR delivered during Covid-19 Pandemics on the overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults with cardiac problems. METHODS:A retrospective study design was used. Rand-36 scores in a population of older adults aged 60+ who participated in VCR between March 2020 and September 2021 were compared pre- and post-program. Convenience sampling method was used and only those who gave informed written consent for data use were included. SPSS version 27 was used to analyze data using descriptive statistics. RESULTS:Significant increases in median post-VCR scores, compared to pre-VCR scores (p < 0.001) were shown in the Physical domain from (95% CI 307.5–342.5). Mental health domain from (95% CI 301.5–340.5). There was statistically highly significant difference in scores in Chester Step Test METs pre- post VCR 16% (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences found in patients’ perception of Physical Function, Role Limit (Emotional) and Energy/Fatigue (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:VCR delivered during Covid-19 Pandemic, had positive effect on the overall HRQoL of older adults with cardiac problems. VCR offered as an option in CR may potentially improve completion rate and facilitate behavioral modifications.
