Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite its numerous other benefits, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has not consistently proven to be an effective, although much needed, intervention for weight loss in the cardiovascular disease (CVD) population. Comparatively, the LEARN (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships, Nutrition) program appears to be an effective intervention for weight loss. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare changes in body weight in a CVD cohort consecutively participating in traditional CR and the LEARN program.
METHODS: Forty-four patients diagnosed with CVD (22 men/22 women) participated in a 12-week multidisciplinary CR program. All patients successfully completed the LEARN program following CR. Body mass index (BMI) and body weight were recorded immediately prior to and following both CR and LEARN.
RESULTS: The peak metabolic equivalents were significantly higher following CR (7.3 +/- 1.6 vs 8.5 +/-1.6, P < .001), while body weight (203.5 +/- 32.6 vs 201.8 +/- 32.5 lbs, P > .10) and BMI (32.1 +/-4.0 vs 31.8 +/-3.9 kg/m2, P > .05) were unchanged. All subjects then successfully completed the LEARN program, participating in an average of 10 sessions. There was a significant reduction in body weight (203.3 +/- 30.7 vs 190.1 +/- 30.4 lbs, P < .001) and BMI (32.0 +/- 3.9 vs 29.5 +/-3.8 kg/m2, P < .001) following the LEARN program.
DISCUSSION: Our results support the independent value of the LEARN program in eliciting weight loss for CR patients. Clinicians delivering CR services should consider integrating a focused weight loss program, such as LEARN, into their usual CR programs.