Table 1 Characteristics of women-focused CR (N = 28)

Andersson et al. [42] 2010, Sweden; quality: 4/5

Dose: 33 sessions (10 days residential followed by 5 inpatient days after 2 months, then twice yearly for 2 inpatient days from 2^nd year to 5^th year); delivery: cardiologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, dietitian, physiotherapist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: 6–10; phase II

Mode: walking with or without stick, aerobics, yoga, QiGong and water-aerobics; supervised: y[both]; intensity: NR; session duration: NR; RT: no

other components: tobacco cessation, dietary counseling, relaxation/stress management; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: cassette tapes

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%

Arthur et al. [43] 2007, Canada; quality: 4/5

Dose: 49 sessions (after initial assessment, twice weekly for 8 weeks with only aerobic exercise, then twice weekly for 16 weeks combined aerobic and strength training); delivery: certified kinesiologist, physician (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase II

Mode: walking on treadmills, stationary cycles, arm ergometers, stair climbers; supervised: y[both]; intensity: gradually increasing from 40 to 70% of functional capacity based on GXT results; session duration: average 60 min; RT: y (2 times of 8–10 repetitions starting at 30% increasing gradually to 70% of 1 RM for upper body and 2 times of 10–12 repetitions with 50–70% of 1 RM for lower body)

other components: comprehensive CR with tobacco cessation, nursing education and support, dietary counselling; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: y (not specified); theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%

Asbury et al. [44] 2008, UK; quality: 4/5

Dose: 16 sessions (standard 8 week CR comprised of 1×/wk outpatient exercise and 1×/wk home-based sessions); delivery: registered nurse, physician, cardiologist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: III

Mode: NR; supervised: y[both] intensity: gradually increasing from 60 to 75% of age-predicted HR reserve; session duration: 80 min; RT:NR

other components: varied and not specified; mode of delivery: f2f: y, tech: y (phone calls)

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Azad et al. [45] 2012, Canada; quality: 3/5

Dose: 12 sessions (twice per wk for 6 wks); delivery: physician, nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietician, pharmacist, and social worker. (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase II

Mode: NR; supervised: y[both]; intensity: started with lowest intensity/duration then gradually increased with last exercise interval as the highest intensity; exercise prescription based on RPE scale and THR by 2–5 min assessment walk; session duration: 30 min; RT: no

other components: education, counseling, and dietary management; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: y (phone call at 30th wk)

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%

Beckie et al. [46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53] 2010, USA; quality: 5/5

Dose: 36 sessions (3 times/wk × 12 wks); delivery: female nurses, exercise physiologist, clinical psychologist, clinical nurse specialist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: treadmill, walking, cycling, or rowing; supervised: y[both]; intensity: 60–85% of maximal HR with gradual increase in intensity; session duration: 60 min; RT: y (wall-pulleys and hand weights)

other components: two 1 h individualized MI counseling and 10 psychoeducational classes focusing on CHD risk factor modification, social support, relaxation exercises, and one 30 min dietitian consultation; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: y (transtheoretical model and MI for behavior change); proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Chou et al. [54] 2016, Canada; quality: 4/5

Dose: 24 sessions (1×/wk for 24 wks); delivery: cardiologist, registered nurse, kinesiologist, fitness instructor, social worker, psychiatrist, dietitian; (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: using aerobic machines in the centre; supervised: y; intensity: THR 50–70% of the HR reserve based on entrance exercise test; session duration: 60 min; RT: y (light weight 2–12 lbs, and advised not to lift greater than 20 lbs)

other components: education sessions (20 min per wk) contained heart healthy nutrition, risk factors, treatment of heart disease and stress management, psychosocial counselling, peer group support; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: y (SCAD-CR program was developed for women after a SCAD event emphasizing management of women’s heart disease); theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Clark et al. (Women Take Pride trial) [55,56,57,58] 2003, USA; quality: 5/5

Dose: 6 sessions (initial orientation, then 1×/wk × 5 wks); delivery: nurse health educator, peer leader (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: https://cmcd.sph.umich.edu/research-program-areas/women-take-pride/; group size: 6–8; phase: II

Mode: NR; supervised: hybrid (single orientation session then at home); intensity: NR; session duration: 120–150 min; RT: NR

other components: self-education on risk factor management, dietary advice and self-management of stress; mode of delivery: f2f: y, tech: y (phone calls)

Gender-tailoring: y (A 4-week education and behavior modification program designed to improve heart disease management by enhancing women’s self-regulation. The program was called “Women take PRIDE” because it focused on Problem selection, Researching one’s daily routine, Identifying a self-management goal, Developing a plan for goal attainment, and Establishing a reward.); theoretical basis: y (social cognitive theory; self-regulation); proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Davidson et al. [59] (HAWP-Heart Awareness for Women Program) 2008, Australia; quality: 5/5

Dose: 6 sessions (once per wk for 6 wks); delivery: CR nurse, nurse researcher, health professional-facilitator. (multidisciplinary team—y); open access materials: no; group size: 5–10; phase II

Mode: NR; supervised: y; intensity: NR; session duration: 120 min; RT: no

other components: pt education, psychosocial counselling; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: y (The program aimed to educate women on the importance of heart health education and awareness for its prevention which empower women to manage their own heart health.); theoretical basis: y (mutual aid model); proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Eyada et al. [60] 2007, Saudi Arabia; quality: 3/5

Dose: NR; delivery: cardiologist, physiotherapist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: I, II, III

Mode: NR; supervised: y; intensity: NR; session duration: NR; RT:NR

other components: pt education, psychosocial; mode of delivery: f2f: y, tech: no

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%

Feizi et al. [35] 2012, Iran; quality: 3/5

Dose: 26 sessions (2 instructional sessions for 60–90 min then exercise at home 3 times/wk for 8 wks); delivery: nurse researcher, physician, psychologist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: III

Mode: walking; supervised: hybrid [2 f2f, then rest are home-based]; intensity: 60–65% of maximal HR; session duration: 25–40 min; RT: NR

other components: pt education, psychosocial; mode of delivery: f2f: y, tech: y (wkly phone calls, Cds to practice exercise at home)

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Gary et al. [61,62,63] 2003, USA; quality: 4/5

Dose: 36 sessions (3×/wk for 12 wks); delivery: nurse researcher only (multidisciplinary team: no); open access materials: no; group size: 1-1; phase: II

Mode: walking; supervised: y (individual home-based); intensity: low to moderate-intensity (at 40% intensity at the beginning then gradually increase in duration and intensity up to 60%); session duration: maximum 30 min; RT: NR

other components: pt education; mode of delivery: f2f: y, tech: no

Gender-tailoring: y (education); theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Grace et al. (CR4HER trial) [21, 64,65,66,67] 2014, Canada; quality: 4/5

Dose: ~ 48 sessions (varied by program); delivery: physician, dietitian, kinesiologist, nurse (multidisciplinary team—y); open access materials: education materials; group size: varied; phase II

Mode: treadmill walking; supervised: y; intensity: moderate based on stress test; session duration: 60 min; RT: y

other components: pt education, stress management, risk factor management, nutrition counseling; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Gunn et al. [68] 2007, Canada; quality: 3/5

Dose: 10–12 sessions (once per wk for 10–12 wks); delivery: kinesiologists, nurses, physicians (multidisciplinary team—y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase II

Mode: NR; supervised: y[both]; intensity: NR; session duration: 120 min; RT: y

other components: pt education, nutrition counselling; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: y (education); theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Heald et al. [40, 41] 2020, Canada; quality: 4/5

Dose: 25 sessions (1×/wk for 24 wks and 1 initial assessment); delivery: exercise physiologist, physician, dietitian, social worker and psychologist; (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: https://www.healtheuniversity.ca/en/cardiaccollege/; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: treadmill walking, cycle ergometer; supervised: y; intensity (from 60–80% of HR reserve); session duration: 60 min; RT: y (initial weight load of 60% of 1-repetition maximum was used and then gradually increased)

other components: pt education, risk factor management, stress management, and nutrition counseling; mode of delivery: f2f: y, tech: no

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Kennedy et al. [69] 2003, Canada; quality: 4/5

Dose: 42–56 sessions (supervised 2–3 days per wk for 7 wks, and then 4–5 days/wk unsupervised for another 7 wks); Delivery: physical therapist, dietitian, social worker (multidisciplinary team—y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase II

Mode: treadmill walking, cycle ergometer; supervised: hybrid (7 wks supervised then at home); intensity: 70–85% of maximal HR; session duration: 40 min; RT: y (resistance exercises on weight-training machines or using free weights)

other components: 5 education sessions addressing heart-health lifestyle topics; mode of delivery: f2f: y (and remote); tech: no

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%

Madison et al. [39] 2010, UK, quality: 5/5

Dose: four modules over 4 wks; delivery: nurse researcher (multidisciplinary team: no); open access materials: no; group size: no; phase: NR (some participants attended phase III CR)

Mode: not explicitly reported but recommended to perform aerobic exercises (walking, swimming, rowing, stair climbing) 3×/wk for at least 30 min; unsupervised; intensity: NR; session duration: 30 min; RT: recommended

Other components: pt education regarding risk factors management, tobacco cessation, nutrition, PA, psychosocial and mental health activities designed to enhance self-awareness; mode of delivery: f2g: y, tech: no

Gender-tailoring: y (self-management learning modules specific for rural women with CHD); theoretical basis: y (social cognitive theory); proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Mahmoodian et al. [36] 2012, Iran; quality: 1/5

Dose: 24 sessions (3×/wk for 8 wks); delivery: NR; (multidisciplinary team: NR); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: NR; supervised: y; intensity: NR; session duration: NR; RT:NR

other components: NR; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: NR;

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Price et al. 2005 [23, 70,71,72] Canada; quality: 5/5

Dose: 24 sessions (1×/wk for 24 wks); delivery: nurse-practitioner, cardiologist, physiotherapist, exercise specialist, respiratory therapist, registered dietitian, social worker (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size:8–9; phase: II

Mode: treadmill walking, cycle ergometer; supervised: y; intensity: moderate intensity based on individual exercise prescription; session duration: 60 min; RT: y (body-weight, free weights, Therabands, tubing and stability balls)

other components: pt education, psychosocial, risk factor management, nutrition counselling; mode of delivery: f2f: y, tech: no

Gender-tailoring: y (6 principles of women’s health); theoretical basis: y (social-ecological model); proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Reed et al. [73, 74] 2019, Canada; quality: 3/5

Dose: 20 sessions (2×/wk for 10 wks); delivery: cardiologist, physiotherapist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: dance; intensity: 4 × 4 min of high-intensity intervals at 85–95% peak HR interspersed with 3 min of low-intensity intervals at 60–70% peak HR; session duration: 45 min; RT: NR

other components: NR but comprehensive; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no;

Gender-tailoring: y (exercise mode); theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Sadeghi et al. [37, 75,76,77] 2012, Iran; quality: 5/5

Dose: 24 sessions (3×/wk for 8 wks); delivery: physician, nurse, exercise physiologist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: Cds to exercise at home; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: treadmill walking, cycle ergometer, stair climbing, rowing, step, jogging; session duration: 90 min; RT: y

other components: pt education, psychosocial and nutrition counselling; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: y (CDs)

Gender-tailoring: no (but women had another education session regarding CVD risks in women); theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Sengupta et al. [78] 2020, (HerBeat) USA; quality: 4/5

Dose: n/a; delivery: health coach (multidisciplinary team: no); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase II

Mode: walking; unsupervised; intensity: NR; session duration: n/a; RT: NR

other components: NR; mode of delivery: two f2f and rest are remote by weekly phone calls; tech: y (smartphone-based app)

Gender-tailoring: y (smart phone app targeted to women); theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Shabani et al. [38] 2010, Iran; quality: 4/5

Dose: 36 sessions (3×/wk for 12 wks); delivery: physiotherapist, physician (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: walking; supervised: y; intensity: started with 40–50% of maximal HR reserve with gradually progressed to 60–80% HR reserve; session duration: 60 min; RT: y (recommended 3 days/wk and consisted of 8–10 exercises covering major muscle group with weight set at 30–40% of 1RM for upper body and 50–60% for lower body)

Other components: NR; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Silber et al. [79] 2015, USA; quality: 3/5

Dose: 36 sessions (1–3 supervised sessions/wk); delivery: dietitian, nurse, or case manager. (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: written materials, videos; group size: NR, some 1-1 dietary consultation; phase II

Mode: treadmill walking/jogging, cycle ergometry, and elliptical trainer; supervised: y intensity: aerobic exercise 60–70% of HR reserve, then HIIT was introduced; session duration: 45–60 min; RT: y (10–20 min with 8 to 15 repetitions at intensity of 12–14 RPE, 1–2 sets per muscle group)

other components: pt education, nutrition counseling, weight control, stress management; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: y (videos)

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%

Szot et al. [80] 2016, Poland; quality: 4/5

Dose:36 sessions (3×/wk for 12 wks); delivery: physician, physiotherapist, nutritionist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: 6; phase: NR

Mode: bicycle ergometer; supervised: y; intensity: individual exercise prescription based on treadmill stress test then gradually increasing difficulty and workload; session duration: 90 min; RT:NR

other components: NR; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%

Turk-Adawi [25] 2020, International; quality: 5/5

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Tsai et al. [81] 2019, Taiwan; China; quality: 5/5

Dose: 10 sessions; delivery: registered nurse, physician, research assistant (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no (manual ‘Methods for Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases: Living a Healthy Lifestyle’); group size: NR; phase II

Mode: NR; supervised: hybrid (initial f2f introduction of motivational intervention within 3 wks of hospital discharge, then consultation and follow-ups by phone call); intensity: NR; session duration: 90–150 min; RT:NR

other components: pt education through motivational discussion, planning individually tailored lifestyle adjustment and set self-management goals; mode of delivery: f2f and remote both; tech: y (phone calls)

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: y (motivational); proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%

Tyni-Lenne et al. [82] 2002, Sweden; quality: 3/5

Dose: 24 sessions (3×/wk for 8 wks); delivery: cardiologist, physiotherapist (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: cycle ergometer supervised: y; intensity: 50% of the peak work rate achieved on exercise test; session duration: 60 min; RT: no

other components: NR; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: no; theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: 100%

Wojcieszczyk et al. [83, 84] 2012, Poland; quality: 1/5

Dose: 29 sessions (3×/wk for 4 wks, then 2×/wk for 8 wks and 1×/wk for 1 wk); delivery: registered nurse, physiotherapist, physician (multidisciplinary team: y); open access materials: no; group size: NR; phase: II

Mode: Tai Chi, cycle ergometer; supervised: y; intensity: NR; session duration: NR; RT:NR

other components: NR; mode of delivery: f2f: y; tech: no

Gender-tailoring: y (exercise mode); theoretical basis: no; proportion of women in sessions: ≥ 50%