Back

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Functional Capacity Improvement: Montana Outcomes Project Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry Findings

Claus, L.; McNamara, M.; Oser, C.; Fogle, C.; Canine, B.

2026-04-21 public and global health
10.64898/2026.04.20.26351126 medRxiv
Show abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States, despite being largely preventable through effective management of risk factors. This study evaluates the impact of Phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on functional capacity and quality of life, using data from the Montana Outcomes Project Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry. Functional capacity improvements were assessed via the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and Dartmouth COOP questionnaire, with statistical analyses exploring the influence of CR session attendance, demographic factors, and referring diagnoses. Results demonstrated significant gains in 6MWT, with a mean improvement of 330.73 feet (p < .0001), and quality of life scores across all subgroups. A dose-response relationship was observed, indicating greater improvements with increased CR sessions (p < .0001), though diminishing returns were observed beyond 24-35 visits. Demographic factors and complex conditions influenced outcomes, underscoring the need for tailored strategies to enhance CR access and effectiveness. These findings highlight the critical role of CR in improving patient outcomes and emphasize the importance of addressing barriers to participation in underserved populations.

Matching journals

The top 5 journals account for 50% of the predicted probability mass.

1
PLOS ONE
4510 papers in training set
Top 6%
23.0%
2
Journal of the American Heart Association
119 papers in training set
Top 0.4%
12.6%
3
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
49 papers in training set
Top 0.5%
7.0%
4
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
124 papers in training set
Top 0.9%
6.5%
5
JMIR Formative Research
32 papers in training set
Top 0.2%
4.4%
50% of probability mass above
6
Journal of Clinical Medicine
91 papers in training set
Top 2%
3.1%
7
Scientific Reports
3102 papers in training set
Top 42%
2.9%
8
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
11 papers in training set
Top 0.1%
2.5%
9
Journal of Translational Medicine
46 papers in training set
Top 0.5%
2.1%
10
Open Heart
19 papers in training set
Top 0.6%
1.8%
11
JMIRx Med
31 papers in training set
Top 0.6%
1.7%
12
Frontiers in Public Health
140 papers in training set
Top 4%
1.7%
13
BMJ Open
554 papers in training set
Top 9%
1.7%
14
Journal of General Internal Medicine
20 papers in training set
Top 0.6%
1.4%
15
Heart
10 papers in training set
Top 0.6%
1.4%
16
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
11 papers in training set
Top 0.3%
1.3%
17
Annals of Epidemiology
19 papers in training set
Top 0.3%
1.3%
18
Trials
25 papers in training set
Top 1%
0.9%
19
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications
11 papers in training set
Top 0.4%
0.9%
20
JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
45 papers in training set
Top 3%
0.8%
21
Journal of Medical Internet Research
85 papers in training set
Top 4%
0.8%
22
The American Journal of Cardiology
15 papers in training set
Top 1%
0.8%
23
Circulation: Heart Failure
14 papers in training set
Top 0.5%
0.8%
24
npj Digital Medicine
97 papers in training set
Top 4%
0.7%
25
Frontiers in Physiology
93 papers in training set
Top 7%
0.5%
26
Annals of Internal Medicine
27 papers in training set
Top 1%
0.5%
27
EClinicalMedicine
21 papers in training set
Top 1%
0.5%
28
Public Health
34 papers in training set
Top 2%
0.5%