JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cardiovascular disease accounts for the highest number of deaths globally among all diseases, imposing substantial health costs and economic burdens. As one of the most prevalent forms of this disease, coronary heart disease has become a heavy burden on individuals, families, society, and healthcare systems alike. Identifying effective interventions to improve the prognosis for patients with coronary heart disease is of paramount importance.

Objective:

This study aims to systematically review the scope of digital health technology applications in cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease patients through a scoping literature review methodology. It seeks to provide evidence-based guidance for the diversified development and effective implementation of future cardiac rehabilitation services.

Methods:

Searches were conducted in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library, with a timeframe from inception to July 2025. This study employed the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review methodology framework, combined with the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines, to analyse and collate the literature.

Results:

Among the 32 included studies, Chinese research constituted the largest proportion (n=10), with randomised controlled trials predominating in study design (n=21). This review categorised the application forms of digital health technologies in cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease patients into three major types, encompassing eight specific methods. The most prevalent intervention modality was mobile applications (n=18), while the most frequently combined intervention was “wearable devices + mobile applications” (n=8). Application objectives were divided into four broad categories encompassing twelve specific purposes, with health education being the most prevalent objective (n=26). The diversity of these technological forms and their flexible combination enable adaptation to the rehabilitation needs and technological acceptance levels of different patient groups. This establishes a theoretical foundation for constructing personalised, multimodal cardiac rehabilitation models and provides an operational practical framework.

Conclusions:

Digital health technologies have successfully enhanced patient engagement by offering alternative or complementary models to traditional cardiac rehabilitation, effectively addressing accessibility barriers. Their flexibility and remote delivery capabilities position them as a strategic tool for bridging geographical disparities in healthcare resources, particularly in providing high-quality cardiac rehabilitation services to patients in remote areas. This signifies the increasingly pivotal role digital health plays in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.