Exploring Social Support for Women Coping with a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme after Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.
Sukhbeer Kaur Darsin Singh, Abqariyah Binti Yahya Ahmad Noor, Fatimah Ahmedy and 4 others
PMID 35652930WHAT IT FOUND
Women with heart disease often skip rehab to protect families from worry or resume housework.
Support from spouses and peers helps them attend. Therapists should assess caregiving burdens and consider women-only groups to address these social barriers.
Key findings
01Family support and partner accompaniment were reported as vital for women's recovery and participation in cardiac rehabilitation.
02Women frequently dropped out of cardiac rehabilitation because their role as primary caregivers interfered with attendance, prioritizing household duties over their own health.
03Peer support helped reduce feelings of isolation and motivated women to continue rehabilitation by providing a sense of normality and shared experience.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The review only included six studies, which limits the breadth of data. Most studies were conducted in high-income countries, so findings may not apply to settings with different cultural norms or healthcare resources. None of the included studies clearly described the relationship between the researchers and the participants, which could introduce bias. The review did not analyse differences by age or ethnicity within the participant groups.
Declared interests
The paper does not state any funding sources or conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that lack of family support is the primary reason for non-attendance. The review found that women often drop out specifically because they are the primary caregivers and feel unable to step away from household duties, not necessarily because they lack emotional support.