Published online May 26, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i10.1818
Peer-review started: February 21, 2020
First decision: March 18, 2020
Revised: April 5, 2020
Accepted: April 28, 2020
Article in press: April 28, 2020
Published online: May 26, 2020
Processing time: 93 Days and 18.7 Hours
Cardiac rehabilitation through center-based programs is an effective multicomponent intervention for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Despite the benefits it brings, patients’ participation in rehabilitation programs remains low. In this work, the latest relevant literature regarding remotely monitored cardiac telerehabilitation (TR) was reviewed considering its efficiency and utilization. The main objective was to assess whether TR has the potential to be an appropriate alternative form of rehabilitation. A total of 105 publications on this topic were screened out of 747 full-text articles that were read and evaluated, of which 12 were considered suitable for inclusion in the final review. Feasibility, efficiency, and safety were assessed for each TR intervention. The results of our evaluation indicate that TR seems to be a usable, effective, and safe alternative rehabilitation for patients with heart disease. Most of the currently published articles have studied remotely monitored TR intervention offering a comprehensive approach, which indicates the significant development and steps forward in this field of study. Our research evidence supports the implementation of TR, which could positively influence barriers in participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Core tip: Telerehabilitation (TR) and mobile technologies are becoming potentially suitable alternatives through which it is possible to fill the gap over barriers in participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs. Based on this review, it is estimated that TR may be an effective and safe alternative rehabilitation for patients with heart disease. Most of the TR interventions currently published provide a comprehensive approach, indicating the significant development and step-forward in this field of study.