Comparing two approaches to heart and lung rehabilitation for older adults in rural Massachusetts

Stepped care versus center-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation for older frail adults living in rural MA

NIH-funded research Baystate Medical Center, INC. · NIH-10795081

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBaystate Medical Center, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Springfield, United States)
Project IDNIH-10795081 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are older frail adults living in rural Massachusetts who have been diagnosed with heart or lung diseases.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have heart or lung diseases or those who live outside of rural Massachusetts may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Springfield, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cardiac DiseasesCardiac Disordersheart disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.