A Web-Based Cardiac REhabilitatioN Alternative for Those Declining or Dropping Out Of Conventional Rehabilitation: The WREN Feasibility Study. [FUNDER: NIHR RfPB Programme].

PROJECT FUNDING: NIHR RfPB Programme Competition 23. £ 271,627

Project Objectives
The study will assess the feasibility of delivering an alternative web-based cardiac rehabilitation intervention for those who decline or drop out from conventional supervised cardiac rehabilitation. The study is a two-centre feasibility study that will collect qualitative and quantitative data to eventually inform the design of a definitive clinical trial. The definitive trial will be a large multi-centre trial of web-based cardiac rehabilitation against best usual care.

Impact
Many people who could benefit from cardiac rehabilitation are either not taking part or not completing the programme. National audit data revealed that of all those eligible only 43% participated between 2011-2012, and of these individuals an average of only 52% actually complete the programme. There are also a group who are unwilling to take part. The national audit demonstrated that of those referred for rehabilitation 13% declined the offer, most commonly citing lack of interest, distance to delivery venue, and returning to work as the reasons. Currently there is a lack of alternative programmes available for those unable or unwilling to attend current options for rehabilitation.

Given such limited alternatives to traditional rehabilitation there is a clear need to develop and evaluate new means of delivery to increase choice and availability of rehabilitation.