Women-only cardiac rehabilitation program
Official title: Designing and Assessing a Women Only Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Run by University of Michigan · NCT06784895 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether a women-only cardiac rehabilitation program helps women aged 40-80 with heart issues do better than a standard program that includes both men and women.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 5, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 2027 |
| Study ends | March 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 4, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06784895 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are women aged 40-80 with a documented diagnosis requiring cardiac rehabilitation.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not identify as female or those not cleared for cardiac rehabilitation will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot women-only cardiac rehabilitation program compared to a standard mixed-sex rehabilitation program. The study will assess attendance, completion rates, and clinical outcomes for women participating in the women-specific program. Participants will be women aged 40-80 with specific cardiovascular conditions, and their progress will be monitored throughout the study duration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could lead to improved attendance and clinical outcomes for women undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited data on women-only cardiac rehabilitation programs, similar approaches in gender-specific health interventions have shown promise.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability to participate in study procedures for the duration of the study * Identify as a female * Be between the ages of 40-80 years, inclusive * Documented diagnosis of CR indications of stable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction (MI) within the preceding 6 months, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), surgical and transvalvular aortic valve replacement, post-aortic surgery with or without aortic valve, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral valve replacement or repair with or without CABG * Referred to outpatient CR at the University of Michigan, Domino's Farms or Brighton Center for Specialty Care Cardiac Rehabilitation site based on Michigan Medicine's Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Policy and Procedure. Exclusion Criteria: * Not being "cleared" for CR based on Michigan Medicine's Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Policy and Procedures * Prior participation in CR * Inability to understand spoken and written English, either due to language barrier or cognitive limitation for any reason, including deaf or blind * Frailty, fall risk, or muscle, joint or back pain as defined as the inability to perform activities of daily living without limitations and engage in mild physical activity (i.e. unable to walk up 1 flight of stairs unaided) * Any of the following as the indication for CR: aortic repair or replacement for aortic dissection, untreated or greater than New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II congestive heart failure, coronary artery dissection without coronary artery disease, fibromuscular hyperplasia, stress cardiomyopathy, cardiac transplant candidate or recipient * Life threatening ventricular arrythmias without an implanted defibrillator; very frequent premature ventricular contraction or premature atrial contractions symptomatic or not; poorly controlled atrial fibrillation * Associated more than mild valvular heart disease, untreated congestive heart failure; unstable angina or heart pain with minimal activity; angina or congestive heart failure limiting ability to climb one flight of stairs without help (NHYA Functional Classification \>2) * Severe pulmonary hypertension (right heart systolic pressure greater than 60 millimeters of mercury); clot in the heart; treated venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism in past 6 months; more than mild dyspnea related to chronic lung disease or asthma * Chronic kidney disease (creatinine \>2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)); symptomatic active liver disease (infectious or inflammatory), symptomatic chronic liver disease (except for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), kidney dialysis or kidney transplant recipient, active or chronic renal disease (rise by 0.5mg/dL in past 3 months or chronic elevated serum creatinine 2.0 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) or greater. * Poorly controlled diabetes defined as uninterrupted HbA1c \>8.0% for ≥1 year despite standard care, baseline HbA1c prior to CR \> 8.5%. * Immunosuppressive drug requirement, acute anemia, chronic anemia with Hemoglobin \< 10mg/mL * Limiting chronic muscle, joint, or back pain; identified as fall risk from poor balance or neurologic syndromes; frailty defined as the inability to perform activities of daily living in older adults that carries an increased risk for poor health outcomes including falls, incident disability, hospitalization, and mortality * Untreated or active substance abuse/addiction including alcohol and drugs; depression (defined as a score ≥ 15 or depression positive answer to #8 or #9 on Patient Health Questionnaire-9) unless deemed acceptable by mental health care provider; severe anxiety * Severe obesity (Body mass index ≥ 40 kilograms/meters squared), on weight loss drugs (unless target body weight has been achieved or use is for glycemic control in diabetes), history of bariatric surgery; chronic venous insufficiency with cellulitis or \> 1+ edema unless controlled with support hose.
Where it's running
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Melvyn Rubenfire, MD — University of Michigan
- Study coordinator: Beth Perrotta
- Email: eperrott@umich.edu
- Phone: 734-232-6865
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.