Use of a Smartphone Application to Promote Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Emily C. Monge (Creator)

Institution

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )

Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Advisor

Cheryl Wicker

Abstract: Background: Despite the proven benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), utilization is low. The Covid-19 pandemic even further limits participation in traditional CR (Drwal et al., 2020). Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) or virtual program models provide a reasonable alternative to the traditional model of CR (Thomas et al., 2019). However, little research exists to compare patient outcomes between the virtual and traditional CR models (Thomas et al., 2019). Despite the increasing availability of these additional CR models, the lack of standardized guidelines, reimbursement, and evidence of effectiveness, particularly in high-risk populations, remain barriers to these programs' success (Drwal et al., 2020). Purpose: This program evaluation aims to compare performance and quality of life outcomes between participants in virtual and participants in traditional CR programs. Methods: The PI compared de-identified retrospective data for virtual and traditional CR participants at two time points (program start and program end). De-identified quantitative data included distance (in feet) walked in a pre-and-post-six-minute walk test as well as a pre-and post-test score for the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index for both virtual and traditional CR groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the walk test score pre-and-post intervention between the virtual (M=169.2 ft) and the traditional (M=231.1 ft) groups (p =.4170). Quality of life scores pre-and post-intervention also showed no significant difference between the virtual (M=.6825) and traditional groups (M=.0623); (p=.4294). Recommendations and Conclusion: The evidence to date suggests that home-based or virtual CR may be as effective as the traditional model of CR. Virtual and remote program models provide a reasonable alternative to the traditional synchronous model of CR However, further research is needed to compare the virtual and traditional CR formats. Assessing these models' impact may help standardize the implementation of virtual and traditional CR and facilitate reimbursement for these services (Thomas et al., 2019).

Use of a Smartphone Application to Promote Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation
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Created on 2/8/2023
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Additional Information

Publication

Dissertation

Language: English

Date: 2022

Keywords

Cardiac rehabilitation, Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation, COVID-19, Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation

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