SAFETY, EFFICACY, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF HOME-BASED HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING FOR PATIENTS WITH CARDIAC DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is safe and more effective than moderate-intensity continuous training for improving cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with cardiac disease. Home-based delivery of cardiac rehabilitation has been introduced to increase the uptake and participation of programs. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the safety, efficacy, and implementation of home-based HIIT programs for patients with cardiac disease. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in three electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE) before 2nd October 2023. Studies were included if they were written in English, peer-reviewed and compared home-based HIIT to other centre-based or home-based exercise interventions. A secondary analysis investigating intervention safety, efficacy and implementation was conducted using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Five studies, involving 153 participants (62 for home-based HIIT and 91 for other home-based or centre-based exercise interventions) were included in the analysis. There were no differences in functional capacity or quality of life (QOL) between home-based HIIT and other centre-based or home-based exercise interventions (p > 0.05). Across all the studies, the reporting rates were highest for program effectiveness (75%) and adoption (75%), followed by reach (70%), implementation (40%), and maintenance (10%). Adverse events were reported during the home-based HIIT intervention in two studies (3%). Participant attrition within home-based HIIT interventions was 8-12%. In studies where adherence to the home-based HIIT protocol was reported, this ranged between 36% and 85%. Home-based HIIT resulted in similar effects in functional capacity and QOL as other centre-based and home-based exercise interventions for patients with cardiac disease. HIIT in the home appears to be safe and effective, however adherence to the protocol varies. Further high-quality studies are needed to inform best practices for prescribing HIIT in the home.