Telehealth Services for Home-based Rehabilitation of Cardiac Patients

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the Western world. Several modifiable risk factors contribute to the pathogenesis of CVD which are all addressed during cardiac rehabilitation (CR). CR is conducted in three phases: I: acute care hospital, II: subsequent in- or outpatient CR, and III: out-patient CR with focus on lifelong prevention. Despite its proven merits, the adherence to healthy lifestyle changes following completion of CR phase II is challenging. This gap is addressed in recent recommendations, suggesting that clinicians should help patients to set personal goals to i) achieve and maintain the benefits of physical activity, ii) include physical activity into their daily routine and iii) overcome barriers to exercise, to achieve behavior change more effectively and more sustainably. We have developed tele-rehabilitation services to support patients during home-based exercise training in CR phase III. Our services provide a link between CR experts and patients by means of individualized exercise prescription supported by different kinds of wearables for measuring e.g. physical activity volume. The effectiveness of such services and other supportive measures regarding adherence to home training plans and changes in exercise capacity during CR phase III CR is currently evaluated in a study.