Comparing in-person and telehealth cardiac rehabilitation

MCNAIR Study: coMparative effeCtiveness of iN-person and teleheAlth cardIac Rehabilitation

Not applicable Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT05933083

This study is testing whether in-person or telehealth cardiac rehabilitation works better for people with heart conditions like heart attacks and heart failure.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment516 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations5 sites (San Francisco, California and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05933083 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two methods of cardiac rehabilitation: in-person sessions and telehealth sessions. It aims to determine if both approaches yield similar health outcomes for patients with various heart conditions, including myocardial infarction and heart failure. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the in-person or telehealth program, allowing researchers to assess which method may be more beneficial for specific individuals. The study addresses the barriers many patients face in accessing traditional rehabilitation programs.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with specific heart conditions and are eligible for cardiac rehabilitation.

Not a fit: Patients with unstable arrhythmias or those deemed unsafe for participation in cardiac rehabilitation will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the most effective delivery method for cardiac rehabilitation, potentially increasing patient participation and improving health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results in telehealth interventions for various health conditions, suggesting that this approach may be effective for cardiac rehabilitation as well.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 or older
2. Eligible for cardiac rehabilitation

   1. Diagnosis within 1 year prior to consent

      * Myocardial infarction
      * Percutaneous coronary intervention
      * Coronary artery bypass
      * Heart valve repair or replacement
      * Heart transplant
   2. Chronic stable angina, or
   3. Chronic systolic heart failure (ejection fraction ≤ 35%)
   4. Referred to cardiac rehabilitation by a doctor or advanced practice provider for another indication that is covered by the participant's insurance, such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or aortic surgery.
3. Willing to be randomized to in-person or telehealth cardiac rehabilitation
4. Able to communicate in English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unstable arrhythmias which may make unmonitored exercise unsafe (e.g., history of ventricular tachycardia not on medical therapy and without an implantable cardioverter defibrillator)
2. Unsafe for patient to participate in the opinion of the investigator
3. Hospice
4. Unable to consent for self

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California and 4 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Myocardial InfarctionHeart Failure, SystolicHeart Valve DiseasesAngina, StableCoronary Artery DiseaseHeart Transplantcardiac rehabilitation, telehealth
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.