RRandomized Trial of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Delivered Remotely Through the Internet (vCRP Study)

Principal Investigator: Annemarie Kaan
Co-investigators:Scott Lear

This study aims to investigate the use of the Internet to deliver a 4 month cardiac rehabilitation program to heart patients in rural and remote locations. Patients will be assigned to either the internet intervention (virtual cardiac rehabilitation program (vCRP)) or to standard health care. The vCRP will consist of scheduled ‘chat’ sessions with the nurse, dietitian and exercise specialist, data monitoring (exercise heart rate, blood pressure, body weight, blood glucose), peer-support ‘chat’ sessions and educational resources. Patients in both groups will be assessed after 4 months and then one year later to assess sustainability of the program. This study is funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon and MSFHR.