Volitional Interventions within Cardiac Exercise Therapy (VIN-CET): Long-term effects on physical activity and health-related quality of life

Abstract

Objectives: The present study tested the effectiveness of a theory-based intervention (VIN-CET) aimed to promote physical activity and to improve health-related quality of life in cardiac rehabilitation. Design: Program effectiveness was evaluated by means of a quasi-experiment with a longitudinal sample of 485 individuals with cardiovascular diseases participating in a 3-week inpatient rehabilitation program (phase II). The VIN-CET intervention was integrated into the exercise therapy of the standard program (n=300). Standard program participants were used as comparison group (n=185). Follow-ups were conducted at 3 and 12 months after the intervention. Method: Physical exercise and leisure-time physical activity were assessed by standardised self-report measures. Physical and mental health status was measured with the SF-12 and physical functioning was assessed with a sub-scale of the SF-36. Results: One year after the intervention, group comparisons showed small intervention effects (ps