REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES TO ASSESS THE IMPACT ON THE FUNCTIONING OF PARTICIPANTS IN CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAMS: AN EXPLORATORY REVIEW.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of global mortality, necessitating comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) programs to reduce morbidity and enhance quality of life. While CR is a multidisciplinary intervention aiming to optimize physical, mental, and social status, current evidence suggests a gap in assessment methodologies. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) define functioning holistically, existing evaluation tools predominantly focus on biomedical markers rather than broader participation and contextual factors. Therefore, this review aims to identify and describe specific instruments used to evaluate the full spectrum of functioning in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.