IJCS | Volume 31, Nº4, July / August 2018

448 Szalewska et al., 13 2015 CRD = cardiac rehabilitation with DM CCR = cardiac rehabilitation without DM N = 125 RCD = 37 RCC = 88 To compare the effects of HCR in patients with CAD with and without DM. Both groups trained for 10 days at the rehabilitation center, received instructions, and then passed to home-based rehabilitation, during which they were monitored with tele-ECG and trained with supervised exercises. The device enabled recording ECG data from 3 precordial leads and their transmission through a cellular phone network to the monitoring center. A cellular phone was also used for daily voice communication between the patient and the doctor who asked about the patient’s health status. HCR was effective for patients with DM. Adherence to HCR was high. Patients with DM had higher rates of obesity and significantly lower tolerance to exercise than those without DM. Patients of both groups had similar benefits regarding physical capacity, heart rate at rest and heart rate recovery. Korzeniowska- Kubacka et al., 17 2015 Men after AMI: 57 Women after AMI: 30 N = 87 To compare the influence of HCR on the physical capacity, safety, adherence and return to work of post-AMI male and female patients. Ten rehabilitation sessions were performed at the center, and the others at home with tele-ECG monitoring. Before and after the trainings, all patients underwent a symptom-limited exercise stress test. The evaluation included the results of exercise tests. HCR resulted in a comparable improvement in physical capacity in post-AMI low-risk male and female patients. Although HCR facilitated patients’ adherence to the training program, their return to work was significantly greater only in post-AMI men. Piotrowicz et al., 18 2014 Telerehabilitation Group: all participants practiced 3 days at a center and 4 months at home. N = 365 To assess the implementation and feasibility of a wide home-based cardiac telerehabilitation program for patients with CVD, as well as its safety, and the patients’ acceptance and adherence to the program. Participants underwent a 4-week HCR based on walking, Nordic walking or cycle ergometer training. They were monitored via telephone with a device to record ECG and to transmit data via cellular phone to the monitoring center. Automatic ECG recording was pre-defined and coordinated. The influence on physical capacity was assessed by comparing the changes in: time of the exercise test, functional capacity, distance in 6-minute walk test at the beginning and end of the program. All participants used an APP for ECG and BP transmission. HCR resulted in a significant improvement in all parameters. It is a feasible and safe form of rehabilitation, well accepted by patients. The adherence to HCR was high and promising. Kinect: movement sensor; Booklet: with information and guidance about the practice of the exercises; CAD: coronary artery disease; CHF: chronic heart failure; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DM: diabetes mellitus; AMI: acute myocardial infarction; CVD: cardiovascular disease; Tele-ECG: electrocardiogram transmission system; HCR: hybrid cardiac rehabilitation; APP: application for data transmission; MRC: Medical Research Council; BP: blood pressure. Cristo et al. Telerehabilitation for cardiac patients Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2018;31(4)443-450 Review Article