eHealth for maintenance cardiovascular rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2023 Oct 26;30(15):1634-1651. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad145.

Abstract

Aims: To provide a quantitative analysis of eHealth-supported interventions on health outcomes in cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) maintenance (phase III) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to identify effective behavioural change techniques (BCTs).

Methods and results: A systematic review was conducted (PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) to summarize and synthesize the effects of eHealth in phase III maintenance on health outcomes including physical activity (PA) and exercise capacity, quality of life (QoL), mental health, self-efficacy, clinical variables, and events/rehospitalization. A meta-analysis following the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines using Review Manager (RevMan5.4) was performed. Analyses were conducted differentiating between short-term (≤6 months) and medium/long-term effects (>6 months). Effective behavioural change techniques were defined based on the described intervention and coded according to the BCT handbook. Fourteen eligible studies (1497 patients) were included. eHealth significantly promoted PA (SMD = 0.35; 95%CI 0.02-0.70; P = 0.04) and exercise capacity after 6 months (SMD = 0.29; 95%CI 0.05-0.52; P = 0.02) compared with usual care. Quality of life was higher with eHealth compared with care as usual (SMD = 0.17; 95%CI 0.02-0.32; P = 0.02). Systolic blood pressure decreased after 6 months with eHealth compared with care as usual (SMD = -0.20; 95%CI -0.40-0.00; P = 0.046). There was substantial heterogeneity in the adapted BCTs and type of intervention. Mapping of BCTs revealed that self-monitoring of behaviour and/or goal setting as well as feedback on behaviour were most frequently included.

Conclusion: eHealth in phase III CR is effective in stimulating PA and improving exercise capacity in patients with CAD while increasing QoL and decreasing systolic blood pressure. Currently, data of eHealth effects on morbidity, mortality, and clinical outcomes are scarce and should be investigated in future studies.

Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42020203578.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease; Maintenance; Rehabilitation; Telemedicine; eHealth; mHealth.

Plain language summary

• This paper reviews the impact of eHealth-supported interventions on health outcomes during cardiovascular rehabilitation maintenance phase III for patients with coronary artery disease, with a meta-analysis performed to differentiate between short-term (≤6 months) and medium/long-term effects (>6 months).

Key findings: • eHealth interventions in cardiovascular rehabilitation maintenance may be used to increase physical activity and exercise capacity as well as quality of life while reducing systolic blood pressure.• Effective behavioural change techniques used in eHealth interventions may include self-monitoring of behaviour, goal setting, and feedback on behaviour; thus, future studies are needed to define effective eHealth components based on behavioural change theories and associated behavioural change techniques to assist patients with coronary artery disease.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation* / methods
  • Coronary Artery Disease*
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life
  • Telemedicine* / methods