Improving Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Using Target Heart Rate Trial (PACE SETTER)

Improving Outcomes From Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Older Adults Through Exercise Testing and Individualized Exercise Intensity Prescriptions

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two types of exercise prescriptions in cardiac rehabilitation eligible older adults (60 years or older) with heart disease. The investigators found in a single site pilot trial (insert NCTxxx) that one exercise prescription was better and are now repeating this study in a larger population at two sites (Baystate Medical Center, Springfield MA and Henry Ford Health System, Detroit MI). The main questions the investigators aim to answer are:

1. Compare two different exercise prescriptions in cardiac rehabilitation on exercise outcomes

   1. Graded exercise test +Target heart rate range prescription [GXT-THRR]
   2. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
2. What is the role of psychological feedback on fitness outcomes during cardiac rehabilitation and physical activity outside of cardiac rehabilitation.
3. What are the long-term clinical outcomes between the two exercise prescriptions

Participants will be asked to:

• Complete surveys about physical activity, exercise anxiety, exercise efficacy, and fears about exercising
• Perform fitness measures (6-minute walk test, balance tests, stand to sit tests, a 400 meter walk, and handgrip strength)
• Attend at least 18 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation after they are randomized to their exercise prescription group
• Wear a heart rate monitor and a physical activity monitor per study protocol

Participants will be randomized (flip of a coin) to either receive a graded exercise test and psychoeducational feedback or lifestyle education (nutrition for cardiac). The graded exercise test will be used to create a personalized exercise prescription with the target heart rate range calculated from the test and the lifestyle education group will use their ratings of perceived exertion for their exercise prescription.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Myocardial Infarction; Heart Failure; Coronary Artery Bypass; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Cardiac Valve Surgery
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: RPE (usual care); Behavioral: GXT+THHR (intervention)

Detailed Description

This study aims to conduct a practical two-arm, parallel-group, open-label, efficacy randomized trial comparing Graded Exercise Testing+ Target Heart Rate Range (GXT-THRR) vs. Usual Care (UC) on changes in fitness (as measured by 6MWT, exercise training METs, handgrip strength and Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) and PA behavior among 320 patients enrolled in CR. The investigators will recruit older adults (age ≥ 60 years) attending outpatient CR from two complementary but different CR centers. The investigators will compare changes in fear and self-efficacy between these two groups and measure long-term clinical outcomes. The investigators have designed the study to be as generalizable as possible, so most CR programs can immediately apply the results in clinical practice.

Eligible patients who are willing to participate will complete written informed consent. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and prescribed medications and doses (including beta-blockers) will be collected.

Patients will then undergo a baseline assessment. This will include a 6MWT and SPPB using standard guideline procedures. During this time period, patients will also be fitted with an accelerometer to wear for 7 days (Actigraph, CenterPoint, Pensacola, FL) to assess time spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). The investigators have significant experience assessing PA, 6MWT, and SPPB, and anticipate few issues in making these measurements. Patients will also complete the following psychological assessments:

• Multidimensional Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale. Self- efficacy is a robust predictor of exercise and PA behavior and may be influenced by exercise prescription method (GXT-THRR or UC). This validated tool will assess three dimensions of self-efficacy: task efficacy (confidence in performing the elemental aspects of exercise), coping efficacy (confidence in exercising under challenging circumstances), and scheduling efficacy (confidence in being able to schedule regular exercise into one's lifestyle).
• Exercise Sensitivity Questionnaire (ESQ). The ESQ is an 18-item self-report measure developed by Dr. Farris that conceptualizes exercise anxiety as worry and fear about the physical sensations of exercise. The ESQ has two dimensions: (1) anxiety about cardiopulmonary sensations during exercise (i.e., blurry vision, chest pain/tightness, difficulty breathing) and (2) anxiety about pain/weakness sensations during exercise (i.e., joint/back/body pain, aches, soreness).
• Exercise Perception Questionnaire. This survey uses relevant subscales of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory and will assess patient interest/enjoyment, as well as perceived choice, competence, pressure/tension, and effort.
• Preference for and Tolerance of Exercise Intensity Questionnaire (PRETIE-Q). This validated tool reflects a patient's general attitude towards and tolerance for higher-intensity exercise. We have included this survey as an important baseline measure, which may predict exercise gains and PA patterns.
• 36 Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). This well-validated general QOL survey has been used extensively in CR and provides a useful measure of a patient's overall physical, emotional, and social QOL.
• Fried Frailty Phenotype. This assesses physical frailty through five criteria: unintentional weight loss; weakness or poor handgrip strength; self-reported exhaustion; slow walking speed; and low physical activity.
• International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Elderly. This well-validated survey will assess levels of physical activity (moderate, moderate-vigorous, vigorous) and sedentary activity.

During the time between informed consent and randomization, patients will continue to undergo CR using UC to guide intensity. This allows for exercise-related baseline measurements to be taken, including the exercise training METs on the 3rd session of CR, as suggested by AACVPR performance measures. It also allows measurement of baseline resting HR, exercise HR, and exercise RPE.

After completing all baseline assessments (including 3 sessions of CR), patients will be randomized (1:1) to either GXT-THRR or UC. Randomization will be stratified based on age, recent cardiac surgery, and site (Baystate vs. Henry Ford.) This will be done because age may have a differential impact on exercise gains; cardiac surgery can limit the available exercise training modalities (i.e., no upper body exercises); and CR site may influence the outcome in unanticipated ways. The investigators will randomize patients through use of the Research Electronic Database Capture (REDCap) software randomization module which allows secure, sequential, and concealed group allocation, as was done in the pilot. REDCap will also be used by both sites to allow uniform data collection, capture, and entry.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 320
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Quinn R Pack, MD; Phone Number: 413-794-5856; Email: quinn.pack@baystatehealth.org
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Karen L Riska, PhD; Phone Number: 413-794-0303; Email: karen.riska@baystatehealth.org

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, 01199
      • Recruiting
      • Baystate Medical Center
      • Contact: Quinn Pack, MD; Email: quinn.pack@baystatehealth.org
      • Contact: Karen Riska, PhD; Email: karen.riska@baystatehealth.org
  • Michigan
    • Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48202
      • Recruiting
      • Henry Ford Health System
      • Contact: Clinton Brawner, PhD; Email: cbrawne1@hfhs.org
      • Contact: Wanda Qualters; Email: wqualte1@hfhs.org

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are eligible for cardiac rehabilitation by having had a cardiac event such as a myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, percutaneous coronary intervention or angioplasty with stent, coronary artery bypass graft, or heart valve surgery in the past 6 months.
• Lives in, or plans to reside in, the Springfield, MA, or greater Detroit, MI, area for the next year.
• Recruited from a Phase 2 Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at either Baystate Medical Center or Henry Ford Health System.
• Age ≥ 60 years
• Agrees to attend at least 18 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation after randomization
• Agrees to attend cardiac rehabilitation at least twice a week

Exclusion Criteria: These include conditions that alter the physiology and monitoring of resting and exercise heart rate. These also include conditions that might limit an individual's ability to exercise.

• Permanent atrial fibrillation
• Heart transplant
• Left-ventricular assist devices
• Stable angina
• High-risk un-revascularized coronary artery disease
• Symptomatic peripheral artery disease
• Aortic and/or mitral stenosis
• Any condition where exercise testing or training might be unsafe or limited

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: RPE (usual care); Participants randomized to usual care (RPE) will not complete a GXT. They will instead be scheduled for an approximately 5-minute educational session (i.e., time/attention-matched control condition) where they will receive information about heart-healthy nutrition. This is standard care at both sites. Patients in the control group will follow standard exercise prescription protocols in CR. This will include a baseline exercise assessment on exercise equipment in the gym (e.g., treadmill, elliptical, rower, NuStep, and/or stationary bicycle) as appropriate. Based on exercise levels achieved on the first day, patients will be given exercise recommendations for their 2nd session of CR and so forth. Participants will be asked to exercise at a moderate intensity RPE level at both sites. As the patients progress in CR, patients will increase their time, intensity, and mode of exercise guided by RPE and clinical assessment.	Behavioral: RPE (usual care); Patients in the active comparator group will follow standard exercise prescription protocols in cardiac rehabilitation.; Other Names: Relative Perceived Exertion (RPE) Exercise Group
Experimental: GXT+ THHR (intervention); Patients assigned to the intervention group will complete a GXT approximately one week later and ideally prior to the 4th cardiac rehabilitation session. Resting and peak heart rate from the GXT will be recorded and used to calculate a target heart rate range (THRR) using the Karvonen formula (60-85% Heart rate reserve). After the test, they will receive psychoeducational feedback (PF) about their test results and exercise performance. After the PF, we will discuss the THRR and how it will be used to guide exercise intensity in CR. Patients in the intervention group will use their THHR to adjust their exercise intensity. For the first 6 cardiac rehabilitation sessions, patients will receive feedback about heart rate from the PolarHR monitor, research staff and CR staff when available. The goal is for patients to exercise in THRR for the majority of each exercise session.	Behavioral: GXT+THHR (intervention); Patients in the personalized care group will perform a graded exercise test and the peak heart rate from the test will allow the researcher to calculate a target heart rate range (THRR). Then, the patients will receive psychoeducational feedback (PF) about their test results and exercise performance. After PF, their THRR will be reviewed and how it will be used to guide exercise intensity in CR will be discussed.; Other Names: Experimental: Graded Exercise Test (GXT) + Target Heart Rate Range (THHR)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Functional Fitness	Change in functional fitness as measured by 6 minute walk from baseline to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) completion.	Baseline to final CR session

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Training exercise workload	Change in metabolic equivalents of task (METs)-an objective measure of a training exercise workload as changes in scores over time and between groups.	3rd CR session to final CR session
Short Physical Performance Battery	Change in Short Physical Performance Battery from baseline to final CR session	Baseline to final CR session
Change in functional fitness at 6 months	Change in functional fitness as measured by 6-minute walk from end of CR to 6 months later.	From end of final CR session to 6 months later.
Change in physical performance at 6 months	Short Physical Performance Battery from end of CR to 6 months later.	From end of final CR session to 6 months later.

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Self-efficacy (task efficacy)	Acute change in self-efficacy (task efficacy) measured before and after the intervention (graded exercise test (GXT) vs. time matched control) will be assessed via the Multidimensional Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale as changes in scores over time and between groups.	Pre-Post GXT
Fear of Exercise	Acute effects of GXT vs. time matched control on fear will be measured via the Exercise Sensitivity Questionnaire as changes in scores over time and between groups.	Pre-Post GXT
Reassurance	Acute effects of GXT on reassurance will be measured via the Reassurance Scale as change scores over time and between groups.	Pre-Post GXT
Exercise Anxiety	Change in exercise anxiety from baseline to final CR session over time and between groups will be measured via the Exercise Sensitivity Questionnaire.	Baseline to final CR session
Exercise Self-Efficacy	Change in exercise self-efficacy from baseline to final CR session over time and between groups will be measured via the Preference for and Tolerance of Exercise Intensity Questionnaire.	Baseline to final CR session
Task Efficacy	Change in task self-efficacy from baseline to final CR session over time and between groups will be measured via the Multidimensional Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale.	Baseline to final CR session
Change in Quality of Life	Change in Quality of Life measured by the SF-36 from baseline to the end of CR	Baseline to final CR session
Change in 7-day % time in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity	Total minutes/day in moderate to vigorous physical activity that is structured exercise behavior measured with an accelerometer.	Baseline to final CR session
Self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over the past 7 days	Using the International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) to measure self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over the past 7 days	Baseline to CR end, and at 3 and 6 months post CR
Major adverse cardiac event (death, myocardial infarction, stroke)	A cardiovascular event including myocardial infarction or stroke, or death via reporting of events in the follow-up surveys via REDCap links or phone calls.	At end of CR up to 2 years follow-up
Admission to the hospital (full admission or observation status) with apparent life-threatening illness	Any full admission or observation status admission to a hospital with apparent life-threatening illness via reporting of events in the follow-up surveys via REDCap links or phone calls.	At end of CR up to 2 years follow-up
Clinically indicated ischemic evaluation (exercise stress test, nuclear stress test, exercise echo, cardiac catheterization)	A clinically indicated ischemic event during exercise stress test, nuclear stress test, exercise echo or cardiac catheterization via reporting of events in the follow-up surveys via REDCap links or phone calls.	At end of CR up to 2 years follow-up
Number of sessions of CR completed (maximum of 36) within 6 months of enrollment.	After enrollment to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) the number of sessions completed within 6 months, with a maximum of 36 possible via the case report forms completed per participant.	Start to end of CR

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Baystate Medical Center
• Collaborators: University of Pennsylvania; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Springfield College; Henry Ford Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Quinn R Pack, MD, Baystate Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 10, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 22, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 22, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): June 29, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 9, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 4, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Heart Diseases; Necrosis; Myocardial Ischemia; Ischemia; Myocardial Infarction; Infarction
• Other Study ID Numbers: 077179

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No