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Table 7 The impact of waiting for cardiac rehabilitation on health outcomes

From: Reducing wait time from referral to first visit for community outpatient services may contribute to better health outcomes: a systematic review

Study

Outcome

MICD

Findings (Positive MD favours shorter wait)

Statistical Significance

Clinical Significance

Aamot et al (2010) [44]

Exercise Tolerance (VO2 Peak)

3.1 ml/Kg per min

MD 0.1 (95%CI -5.2 to 5.4)

N

N

QOL:

    

 SF-36 General Health

4.4 units

MD -4 (-8.3 to 0.3)

N

N

 SF-36 Role Physical

12.5 units

MD -8.3 (95%CI -18.0 to 1.5)

N

N

 SF-36 Physical Functioning

8.1 units

MD 3.8 (95%CI -2.2 to 9.7)

N

N

Fell et al (2016) [46]

Physical Activity (Guideline adherence)

150 min/week

Long wait group: OR 0.9 (95%CI 0.7 to 1.0)

N

N

Exercise Tolerance (Shuttle walk test)

≥70 m

Long wait group: OR 0.8 (95%CI 0.7 to 0.9)

Y

Y

QOL (Dartmouth self-reported fitness)

1-3 (healthy status score)

Long wait group: OR 0.8 (95%CI 0.7 to 0.9)

Y

Y

Johnson et al (2014) [47]

Exercise Tolerance (MET change scores)

0.5 METs

Short wait vs. intermediate wait:

MD 0.6 (95%CI 0.3 to 1.0)

Y

Y

Short wait vs. long wait:

MD 1.2 (95%CI 0.9 to 1.6)

Y

Y

Kehler et al (2017) [48]

Physical Activity (Guideline adherence)

150 mins/week

Short wait vs. long wait: 83% vs. 60%

N

N

Exercise Tolerance (MET)

0.5 METs

MD 2 (95%CI 0.6 to 3.4)

Y

Y

Depressive symptoms (PHQ-9)

5 units

MD 0.9 (95%CI -1.4 to 3.2)

N

N

Marzolini et al (2015) [50]

Exercise Tolerance (VO2 Peak)

8.5 ml/Kg per min

MD 14.5 (95%CI 10.0 to 18.1)

Y

Y

Pack et al (2013) [43]

Exercise Tolerance (MET)

0.5 METs

MD 0.1 (95%CI -0.3 to 0.5)

N

N

  1. MICD Minimum Clinically Important Differences, VO2 Peak Peak Oxygen Consumption, mL milliliters, Kg kilograms, min minutes, QOL Quality of Life, m metres, MET Metabolic Equivalent, PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire – 9, SF-36 36-item Short Form Survey, MD Mean Difference, OR Odds Ratio, Y Yes, N No, ? Unable to determine