JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cardiac rehabilitation is a class 1 recommendation for patients with cardiovascular disease, including patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but is not optimally utilized because patient compliance is still low. Efforts to increase the potential for cardiac rehabilitation that has been based on hospitals are being conducted by conducting rehabilitation at home. However, there are still obstacles in monitoring while patients are exercising at home. One innovation to overcome these obstacles is to develop and implement cardiovascular telerehabilitation based on home exercise.

Objective:

to analyze the effect of a Home-Based Exercise Cardiac Telerehabilitation (HBECTR) on compliance and functional capacity in post-PCI patients

Methods:

This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental approach with a control group. The study will be conducted at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in post-PCI patients. Sampling was carried out using a consecutive sampling approach, with a sample of 60 patients, 30 patients each for the control and treatment groups. The intervention was in the form of home-based exercise cardiac telerehabilitation for the control group, while the control group would undergo usual care in the form of cardiac rehabilitation based on hospital exercise. The treatment group will undergo hybrid cardiac rehabilitation, namely in the hospital and at the patient's home. While in the hospital, patients undergo exercise according to the hospital program 2 times/week, while at home they undergo exercise in the form of walking 3 times/week. When exercising at home, patients will wear a smart watch "CovWatch" to monitor vital signs such as pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and SaO2. The watch is also used to monitor the distance of walking. The control group underwent exercise-based rehabilitation in the hospital for 8 scheduled sessions in the hospital and exercise at home according to the hospital program.

Results:

It is expected that HBECTR program may improve the adherence and functional capacity of patients. Improved adherence and functional capacity among PCI patients can lead to better long-term outcomes, reduced hospital readmissions, and overall healthcare cost savings. Besides, the findings of this study are expected to have significant implications for clinical practice and health policy in Indonesia.

Conclusions:

The results of this study may inform the development of national guidelines and policies promoting home-based cardiac rehabilitation as a viable alternative or complement to hospital-based programs. Clinical Trial: this protocol got ethical clearance from Ethical committee of Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, dan Nursing UGM with number: KE/FK/0850/EC/2024