Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background: Social isolation and loneliness have been found to be associated with many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and those with both CVD and social isolation may have a worse prognosis. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to improve outcomes following cardiac events. We hypothesize that CR may have beneficial impacts on quality of life, social support, depression, and pain rated via Dartmouth COOP Charts (COOP).

Research Question: What is the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life, perceived social support, depression, and chronic pain?

Methods: Data from Penn State Hershey Medical Center’s CR program was extracted pre-and post-CR, including Body Mass Index (BMI), Metabolic Equivalents (METs) performed, and components of COOP (social support, quality of life (QoL), depression, pain), with impairment rated from 1 to 5, with 5 representing worse impairment. Analysis was performed with paired t-test. Sensitivity analysis was performed including only high-risk participants (pre-rehab COOP score ≥ 3) for social support, depression, and pain as well as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m².

Results: A total of 743 participants were included with a mean (±SD) age of 66.3 (±11.3) years. CR improved METs performed, QoL, depression, and pain (Table 1). When analyzing all participants, CR did not improve social support or BMI. However, when only analyzing those with higher social support needs at baseline (n= 78) as well as elevated BMI ≥30kg/m², CR was associated with improved social support and BMI. QoL, depression and pain also improved among the higher risk groups (Table 2).

Conclusion: CR programs have demonstrated benefits for cardiovascular mortality and may have powerful impacts on patients’ mental health, pain, and social support. Further studies are needed to further elucidate the role CR may have in improving outcomes in participants with social isolation and loneliness.