ESC Congress 2026 Abstract · Oct 26, 2026

Feeling better, getting stronger: patient-reported outcomes and handgrip strength after cardiac rehabilitation

By Zafrir B, Rentsler N, Halevi G et al.

Introduction: Incorporating patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as well as objective performance-based measures of physical function, is recommended in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) to enhance patient involvement and optimize clinical care by prioritizing patient's perspective. We assessed the change in PROMs and handgrip strength (HGS), as experienced by outpatients undergoing CR. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients performing multidisciplinary CR program during March to December 2025. PROMs and HGS were assessed at baseline and after completing ≥16 CR sessions. PROMs were evaluated using several metrics: Health-related quality of life based on EQ-5D-5L (5 domains with 1-5 ordinal scale) and EQ-VAS (self-perceived health on a 0-100 scale). Anxiety and depression were evaluated using GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires. HGS was measured using a hand-held dynamometer. Changes in scores between baseline and completion of CR were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The cohort included 183 patients (83% men; mean age 64±10 years). Improvement in EQ-5D-5L (≥1 point) was reported in domains of pain/discomfort (29.5% of patients), mobility (28.4%), common activities (25.1%), anxiety/depression (20.8%), and self-care (13.7%). EQ-VAS score ≤50, representing poor health, decreased from 26.8% to 17.5% (p<0.001), and 53.6% of the patients reported improved perception of overall health (≥5 EQ-VAS points). Prevalence of clinically significant depression (PHQ-9 ≥10) and anxiety (GAD-7 ≥10) declined from 31.1% to 19.1% and 26.8% to 15.8%, respectively, p<0.001. HGS was measured in 151 patients, increasing from a median of 28 kg (IQR, 20-37) to 31 kg (IQR, 22-40), with incline versus decline of ≥10% in HGS observed in 52.3% compared to 10.6% of the patients, respectively. Prevalence of HGS values associated with “probable sarcopenia” (men <27kg; women <16kg) was reduced from 37.1% to 23.8% (p<0.001). Conclusions: CR led to clinically relevant improvements in all aspects of PROMs and HGS, indicating meaningful gains in health-related quality of life and physical function.picture1.jpg

doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehag785.3644 Open access Interventions