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. 2020 Dec;44(6):481-492.
doi: 10.5535/arm.20084. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

Community-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Conducted in a Public Health Center in South Korea: A Preliminary Study

Sora Baek  1   2   3 , Yuncheol Ha  1   2 , Jaemin Mok  1   4 , Hee-Won Park  2   3 , Hyo-Rim Son  5 , Mi-Suk Jin  6
Affiliations

Community-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Conducted in a Public Health Center in South Korea: A Preliminary Study

Sora Baek et al. Ann Rehabil Med. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the community-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR) program that we had developed.

Methods: Individuals aged >40 years with cardiovascular disease or its risk factors who were residing in a rural area were recruited as study subjects. The CBCR program, which consisted of 10 education sessions and 20 weeks of customized exercises (twice a week), was conducted in a public health center for 22 weeks. Comprehensive outcomes including body weight, blood glucose level, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were measured at baseline, 11th week, and completion. Furthermore, the outcomes of young-old (65-74 years) and old-old (≥75 years) female subjects were compared.

Results: Of 31 subjects, 21 completed the program (completion rate, 67.7%). No adverse events were observed, and none of the subjects discontinued the exercise program because of chest pain, dyspnea, and increased blood pressure. Body weight and blood glucose level were significantly decreased, and 6MWD was significantly increased following program implementation (p<0.05). Both young-old and old-old women exhibited an improvement in blood glucose level and 6MWD test (p<0.05).

Conclusion: We reported the results of the first attempted CBCR in South Korea that was implemented without adverse events during the entire program. Improved aerobic exercise ability and reduced risk factors in all participants were observed. These improvements were also achieved by older adults aged ≥75 years.

Keywords: Aging; Cardiac rehabilitation; Cardiovascular diseases; Community health centers; Exercise.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
(A) Relationship between the hospital and public health center as well as their roles in community-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR). (B) Medical personnel of the public health center (PHC) in Hongcheon-gun.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
The public health center in Hongcheon-gun. (A) Meeting room for education program. (B) Exercise room (area, approximately 50 m2) and equipment (4 stationary bikes, 10 gym balls, and 20 elastic bands) for the exercise program. (C) Adjacent park where the 6-minute walk distance test was conducted.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Flow chart of inclusion.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Changes in (A) body mass index (BMI), (B) fasting blood sugar (FBS), and (C) 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) between young-old and old-old women.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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