Cytisine Use Vs Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Relapsed Smokers with Heart Disease: Feasibility Results from a Pilot Randomized Trial.

Background: Cytisine use has proven efficacy for smoking cessation. We plan to investigate whether cytisine use is effective for relapse recovery and conducted a pilot randomized trial to assess the feasibility of a definitive trial.

Methods: A 2-group, single-site pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted.

A Simple Exercise Program for Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease to Improve Strength and Quality of Life: Clinical Research Protocol.

Background: Most patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) appreciate the importance of exercise and would like to increase their physical activity; however, they report a few key barriers, including (1) lack of physician advice to do so, (2) lack of safe and convenient programs (ie, appropriate for home or neighborhood), and (3) cost. Importantly, patients indicated in a previous survey that they would prefer an exercise program that improves muscle strength and symptoms, and are less interested in cardiovascular disease prevention.

Objective: To test the feasibility of a simple, prescribed exercise program using Nordic walking poles in patients with ESKD treated with dialysis.

Prevalence, Perceptions, and Patterns of Cannabis Use Among Cardiac Inpatients at a Tertiary-Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Cannabis use may adversely affect cardiovascular health. Patterns of use by cardiac patients are unknown. We evaluated the prevalence, perceptions, and patterns of cannabis use among cardiac inpatients.

Sustained Effects of Different Exercise Modalities on Physical and Mental Health in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Twelve-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-to-vigorousintensity continuous training (MICT), and Nordic walking (NW) have been shown to improve functional capacity, quality of life (QoL), and depression symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease. However, their prolonged effects or whether the improvements can be sustained remains unknown. In this study we compared the effects of 12 weeks of HIIT, MICT, and NW on functional capacity, QoL, and depression symptoms at week 26.

Nicotine replacement therapy 'gift cards' for hospital inpatients who smoke: a prospective before-and-after controlled pilot evaluation.

Introduction: A common barrier identified by individuals trying to quit smoking is the cost of cessation pharmacotherapies. The purpose of this evaluation was to: (1) Assess the feasibility of offering nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) 'gift cards' to hospitalised smokers for use posthospitalisation; and, (2) Estimate the effect of providing NRT gift cards on 6-month smoking abstinence.

Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental, before-and-after controlled cohort design with random sampling was used to compare patients who had received the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC) intervention ('control') with patients who received the OMSC plus a $C300 Quit Card ('QCI'), which they could use to purchase any brand or form of NRT from any Canadian pharmacy.

Work-related factors predict changes in physical activity among nurses participating in a web-based worksite intervention: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Despite the numerous benefits associated with physical activity (PA), most nurses are not active enough and few interventions have been developed to promote PA among nurses. A secondary analysis of raw data from a single-centre, three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess whether work-related characteristics and general mood states predict changes in total weekly moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and average daily step-count among nurses participating in a 6-week web-based worksite intervention.

Methods: Seventy nurses (mean: 46.

The INITIATE trial protocol: a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a "quit card" intervention on long-term abstinence among tobacco smokers presenting to the emergency department.

Background: Smoking cessation interventions implemented in emergency department (ED) settings have resulted in limited success, owing to factors such as lack of time, motivation, and incentives. A dynamic yet simple and effective approach that addresses the fast-paced nature of acute-care ED settings is needed. This study proposes a multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the effectiveness of an easy to deliver proactive, multi-component tobacco treatment intervention to usual care in the ED setting.

The effects of high-intensity interval training, Nordic walking and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training on functional capacity, depression and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial (CRX study).

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing revascularization procedures often experience ongoing, diminished functional capacity, high rates of depression and markedly low quality of life (QoL). In CAD patients, studies have demonstrated that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is superior to traditional moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (MICT) for improving functional capacity, whereas no differences between Nordic walking (NW) and MICT have been observed. Mental health is equally as important as physical health, yet few studies have examined the impact of HIIT and NW on depression and QoL.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Exercise Maintenance Intervention in Men and Women After Cardiac Rehabilitation (ECO-PCR Trial).

Background: Exercise maintenance interventions are needed for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) graduates to maintain moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). We tested an exercise facilitator intervention (EFI) to promote exercise maintenance compared with usual care (UC) separately in men and women.

Methods: This was a 3-site, randomized (1:1), parallel-group, superiority trial (ECO-PCR).

Meeting the Canadian strength training recommendations: Implications for the cardiometabolic, psychological and musculoskeletal health of nurses.

Aim: To examine the proportion of nurses meeting the strength training recommendation and its associated cardiometabolic, psychological and musculoskeletal benefits.

Background: Strength training targets poor physical and mental health often reported by nurses; however, it is unknown whether nurses are meeting the strength training guidelines.

Methods: Nurses from 14 hospitals completed a 7-day physical activity log.

Using the 6-min Walk Test to Monitor Peak Oxygen Uptake Response to Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Heart Failure.

Purpose: We examined the agreement between peak oxygen uptake (V˙o2peak), estimated using prediction equations from the 6-min Walk Test (6MWT), and V˙o2peak measured using a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) to estimate change in V˙o2peak in patients with heart failure (HF) enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Methods: This was secondary analysis of 54 (including 9 women) patients with HF who completed a clinical CR program. Four previously published equations using 6MWT distance were used to estimate V˙o2peak and were compared with a CPX at baseline, follow-up, and change using the standard and modified Bland-Altman method.

Motivation Predicts Change in Nurses' Physical Activity Levels During a Web-Based Worksite Intervention: Results From a Randomized Trial.

Background: Low physical activity levels can negatively affect the health of nurses. Given the low physical activity levels reported by nurses, there is a clear need for brief and economical interventions designed to increase physical activity levels in this population. We developed a web-based intervention that used motivational strategies to increase nurses' physical activity levels.

Personalized dosing of nicotine replacement therapy versus standard dosing for the treatment of individuals with tobacco dependence: study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Medications for smoking cessation are currently only effective in helping a minority of smokers quit. Drug development is slow and expensive; as such, there is much interest in optimizing the effectiveness of existing treatments and medications. Current standard doses of nicotine replacement therapy are not effective for many smokers, and in many cases, the amount of nicotine provided is much less than when a smoker is smoking their usual number of cigarettes.

Physical activity, sedentary time and sleep and associations with mood states, shift work disorder and absenteeism among nurses: an analysis of the cross-sectional Champlain Nurses' Study.

Background: Research has suggested ideal combinations of sleep, physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) (i.e., optimal sleep/high PA/low ST) are associated with better overall health.

Patterns and predictors of exercise behavior during 24 months of follow-up after a supervised exercise program during breast cancer chemotherapy.

Background: Understanding the longer-term exercise behavior of patients with breast cancer after chemotherapy is important to promote sustained exercise. The purpose of the current study was to report the longer-term patterns and predictors of exercise behavior in patients with breast cancer who exercised during chemotherapy.

Methods: In the Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise (CARE) Trial, 301 patients with breast cancer were randomized to three different exercise prescriptions during chemotherapy.

What Motivates Nurses to Exercise? Determinants of Physical Activity Among Canadian Nurses Using Self-Determination Theory.

Background: Nurses' suboptimal physical activity (PA) levels place them at high risk for cardiovascular diseases. Little is known about the motivational factors that influence their PA behavior.

Purpose: This study drew on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to investigate whether associations between nurses' levels of mood disturbance, psychological need satisfaction (competence, autonomy, and relatedness), and self-determined motivation predict levels of objectively assessed PA.

Smoking behaviour among nurses in Ontario: cross-sectional results from the Champlain Nurses' Study.

Objective: Nurses comprise the largest professional group within the Canadian health care workforce. We aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of smoking among nurses.

Methods: The Champlain Nurses' Study was a multi-centre, observational study that evaluated the physical activity levels and health of hospital-based nurses.

Performance Obligations to Improve Delivery of Hospital-Initiated Smoking Cessation Interventions: A Before-and-After Evaluation.

Introduction: This study evaluated whether introducing performance obligations (a policy intervention) to service agreements between hospitals (n = 15) and their local health authority: (1) improved provision of an evidence-based tobacco cessation intervention (the "Ottawa Model" for Smoking Cessation) and (2) changed the quality of the cessation intervention being delivered.

Methods: Interrupted time series analysis was used to evaluate the change in the proportion of smoker patients provided the Ottawa Model 3 years before and 3 years after introducing the performance obligations. Changes in secondary outcomes related to program quality were described using mean differences, risk differences, and risk ratios, as appropriate.

Effects of exercise dose and type during breast cancer chemotherapy on longer-term patient-reported outcomes and health-related fitness: A randomized controlled trial.

The Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise (CARE) Trial compared different types and doses of exercise performed during breast cancer chemotherapy. Here, we report the longer-term follow-up of patient-reported outcomes, health-related fitness and exercise behavior at 6, 12 and 24 months postintervention. A multicenter trial in Canada randomized 301 breast cancer patients initiating chemotherapy to thrice weekly, supervised exercise consisting of a standard dose of 25-30 min of aerobic exercise (STAN; n = 96), a higher dose of 50-60 min of aerobic exercise (HIGH; n = 101) or a combined dose of 50-60 min of aerobic and resistance exercise (COMB; n = 104) performed for the duration of chemotherapy (median of 17 weeks).

A Longitudinal Examination of the Social-Ecological Correlates of Exercise in Men and Women Following Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Cardiac patients who engage in ≥150 min of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA)/week have lower mortality, yet MVPA declines even following cardiac rehabilitation (CR), and is lower in women. A randomized trial of nine socioecological theory-based exercise facilitation contacts over 50 weeks versus usual care (1:1 parallel arms) was undertaken (NCT01658683). The tertiary objective, as presented in this paper, was to test whether the intervention impacted socioecological elements, and in turn their association with MVPA.

From Good to Great: The Role of Performance Coaching in Enhancing Tobacco-Dependence Treatment Rates.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the incremental effect of performance coaching, delivered as part of a multicomponent intervention (Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation [OMSC]), in increasing rates of tobacco-dependence treatment by primary care clinicians.

Methods: In a cluster-randomized controlled trial, 15 primary care practices were randomly assigned to 1 of the following active-treatment conditions: OMSC or OMSC plus performance coaching (OMSC+). All practices received support to implement the OMSC.

The Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Mental and Physical Health in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) experience symptom burden, exercise intolerance, weight gain, poor mental health, and diminished quality of life (QoL). Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for patients with heart disease, and its benefits are well established, yet clinical guidelines for patients with AF do not include the referral to CR.

Methods: In this matched retrospective, case-control study, we examined the impact of CR on changes in QoL, mental health, and cardiometabolic health indicators in patients with or without persistent or permanent AF.