Comparing two approaches to heart and lung rehabilitation for older adults in rural Massachusetts
Official title: Stepped care versus center-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation for older frail adults living in rural MA
Funded at Baystate Medical Center, INC. · NIH-10795081 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at two ways to help older adults with heart and lung problems in rural areas feel better and improve their quality of life—one method involves going to a rehabilitation center, while the other starts at the center and may include some home care if needed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baystate Medical Center, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Springfield, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $148,176 |
| NIH project number | 5R34HL156920-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10795081 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older frail adults living in rural Massachusetts who have been diagnosed with heart or lung diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have heart or lung diseases or those who live outside of rural Massachusetts may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of two different rehabilitation approaches for older adults with heart and lung diseases living in rural areas. One approach is traditional center-based rehabilitation, while the other is a stepped care model that starts with center-based rehabilitation and may include additional home-based options if needed. The goal is to determine which method is more effective in improving patients' health and quality of life. The study aims to enroll participants who are referred for rehabilitation and will compare their outcomes over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved rehabilitation options that enhance the health and quality of life for older adults with heart and lung diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that both cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are effective, but this specific stepped care approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Baystate Medical Center, INC.
Springfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lindenauer, Peter Kyle — Baystate Medical Center, INC.
- Study coordinator: Lindenauer, Peter Kyle
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.