The impact of a smartphone enabled application on participation in cardiac rehabilitation and understanding barriers to success: a comparative cohort study.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Poor patient uptake of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains a challenge for multiple reasons including geographic, time, cultural, cost and psychological constraints.
Objective:
We evaluated the impact on CR participation rates associated with the addition of the option of smartphone enabled app-based CR (Cardihab) for patients declining conventional CR.
Methods:
204 consecutive patients were offered CR post angioplasty, 99 in cohort 1 (offered conventional CR only) and 105 in cohort 2 (app-based CR offered to those declining conventional CR). Patients in each cohort were followed throughout a 6-week CR program and participation rates were compared for both groups. Patients in cohort 2 declining either form of CR were interviewed to assess reasons for non-participation.
Results:
CR participation improved from 21% (95% CI 14%-30%) to 63% (95% CI 53%-71%) with the addition of the smartphone enabled app (P<.001). Approximately 25% of the group declining the app-based program identified technology issues as the reason for non-participation. The remainder declined both CR programs or were ineligible due to frailty or comorbidities.
Conclusions:
Providing patients with the additional option of an app-based CR program substantially improved CR participation. Technology and psychological barriers can limit CR participation. Further innovation in CR delivery systems is required to improve uptake. Clinical Trial: Not applicable
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