Group-based Cardiac Telerehabilitation and Its Effectiveness

Group-based Cardiac Telerehabilitation and Its Effectiveness

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and coronary artery diseases (CAD) are the most common cause of death worldwide. After an acute cardiac event, prevention of new cardiac events is essential and reduces suffering. Group-based cardiac telerehabilitation (CTR) refers to the use of information and communication technologies for rehabilitation purposes in promoting CAD patients´ health.

This study aims to assess the group-based cardiac telerehabilitation model and its effectiveness. The data is collected from two University hospitals in Finland. Patients with coronary heart disease two months after percutaneous coronary intervention (N=198) are invited to the study. All the participants are being treated in a healthcare unit that uses digital care pathways for coronary patients. Patients can choose the usual care or group-based cardiac telerehabilitation as follow-up care. All the patients are invited to the study after the chosen follow-up care (telerehabilitation or usual care). Patients will be allocated into two groups: The telerehabilitation group is the intervention group and the usual care group is the control group. Quality of life, adherence to treatment, and lifestyle changes are measured at the baseline and 3, 6, and 12 after the intervention baseline.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must have patients with coronary heart disease two months after percutaneous coronary intervention.
• Participants must have ≥18 years of age, and ≤100 years of age
• Participants are being treated in a healthcare unit that uses digital care pathways for coronary patients.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants must not have coronary artery disease diagnosed.
• Participants have been in other operations than percutaneous coronary intervention.