Technology-assisted cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease patients with central obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

Single-site trial in one tertiary hospital in Wuhan, so results may not apply elsewhere. Participants had to read Chinese, have primary education or above, own an internet-connected device, and have no prescribed physical activity restriction. This may not apply elsewhere. Most participants were male (80.8%, N=63), so findings may not apply equally to women. The intervention was a bundle, so the effect of any single component cannot be separated. Four participants had no or minimal intervention use, which challenges cause and effect. Follow-up was only 12 weeks, so sustained effects are unknown. Website engagement was limited: 26 participants logged in, and only 17 uploaded goal attainment data. The primary daily step result was not significant at 12 weeks, although other physical activity measures were.

Do not conclude that the website, pedometer, or chatroom alone caused the improvements. The intervention was a nurse-led bundle that also included assessment, goal setting, physician-approved exercise, website self-monitoring and learning, and chatroom support, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. The control group also received pedometer training, so pedometer use alone was not the difference.