What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: RCT. Population: acute coronary syndrome (n=771). Intervention: Cardiac Rehabilitation vs. Standard CR. Primary outcome: 6-Minute Walk Test distance (m) (p=0.026).

What type of study is this?

This is a Human Clinical Trial study (also classified as: RCT).

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine differences in cardiac rehabilitation outcomes between men and women after an acute coronary syndrome.

January 9, 2026Journal of Rehabilitation MedicineOpen Access

Women and men benefit equally from cardiac rehabilitation regarding aerobic capacity and other health outcomes, though women showed greater improvements in depressive symptoms.

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Key result

Authors

NHNienke ter Hoeve MBMarie de Bakker MSMadoka Sunamura

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Secondary analysis shows men and women gain similar benefits in cardiac rehabilitation, suggesting personalized programs may be needed.

Key Points

To examine differences in cardiac rehabilitation outcomes between men and women after an acute coronary syndrome.
Measured aerobic capacity using the 6-Minute Walk Test
Assessed physical behaviour with accelerometers
Evaluated cardiovascular risk profiles including weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol
Monitored psychosocial well-being through questionnaires
Applied GEE models adjusting for age and baseline characteristics
Both sexes showed similar benefits in physical behaviour and cardiovascular risk profile after rehabilitation
Women had a greater improvement in depressive symptoms compared to men
A lower percentage of women met physical activity targets compared to men
Men lagged in meeting aerobic capacity targets compared to women
Long-term follow-up indicated ongoing disparities in meeting health targets for both sexes

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=771)

Randomization

1:1:1

Multicenter

Yes

PICO

Population

acute coronary syndrome (n=771)

Intervention / Comparator

Cardiac Rehabilitation vs Standard CR

Primary Outcome

6-Minute Walk Test distance (m), p=0.026

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 71.3% vs 58.8%

p-value: p=0.026

Limitations

The original study was not powered to investigate sex differences.
Only 84% of patients completed cardiac rehabilitation.
No specific targets available for participation in society and HRQoL.

Cite This Study

Hoeve et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in acute coronary syndrome (n=771). Cardiac Rehabilitation vs. Standard CR was evaluated on 6-Minute Walk Test distance (m) (p=0.026). Women and men benefit equally from cardiac rehabilitation regarding aerobic capacity and other health outcomes, though women showed greater improvements in depressive symptoms.

synapsesocial.com/papers/696128ef44c2cd6c68456bf0 https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v58.44504

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January 9, 2026Journal of Rehabilitation MedicineOpen Access

Women and men benefit equally from cardiac rehabilitation regarding aerobic capacity and other health outcomes, though women showed greater improvements in depressive symptoms.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Key result

Women and men benefit equally from cardiac rehabilitation regarding aerobic capacity and other health outcomes, though women showed greater improvements in depressive symptoms.

Authors

NHNienke ter Hoeve MBMarie de Bakker MSMadoka Sunamura

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Secondary analysis shows men and women gain similar benefits in cardiac rehabilitation, suggesting personalized programs may be needed.

Key Points

To examine differences in cardiac rehabilitation outcomes between men and women after an acute coronary syndrome.
Measured aerobic capacity using the 6-Minute Walk Test
Assessed physical behaviour with accelerometers
Evaluated cardiovascular risk profiles including weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol
Monitored psychosocial well-being through questionnaires
Applied GEE models adjusting for age and baseline characteristics
Both sexes showed similar benefits in physical behaviour and cardiovascular risk profile after rehabilitation
Women had a greater improvement in depressive symptoms compared to men
A lower percentage of women met physical activity targets compared to men
Men lagged in meeting aerobic capacity targets compared to women
Long-term follow-up indicated ongoing disparities in meeting health targets for both sexes

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=771)

Randomization

1:1:1

Multicenter

Yes

PICO

Population

acute coronary syndrome (n=771)

Intervention / Comparator

Cardiac Rehabilitation vs Standard CR

Primary Outcome

6-Minute Walk Test distance (m), p=0.026

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 71.3% vs 58.8%

p-value: p=0.026

Limitations

The original study was not powered to investigate sex differences.
Only 84% of patients completed cardiac rehabilitation.
No specific targets available for participation in society and HRQoL.

Cite This Study

synapsesocial.com/papers/696128ef44c2cd6c68456bf0 https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v58.44504

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark