Rationale and design of a randomised clinical trial for an extended cardiac rehabilitation programme using telemonitoring: the TeleCaRe study

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the known positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation and an active lifestyle, evidence is emerging that it is difficult to attain and sustain the minimum recommendations of leisure time physical activity. The long-term benefits are often disappointing due to lack of adherence to the changes in life style. Qualitative research on patients’ perspectives suggests that motivation for lifestyle change tends to diminish around 3 months after the index-event. The time most cardiac rehabilitation programmes end. The aim of the present study is to determine if prolongation of a traditional cardiac rehabilitation programme with additional heart rate based telemonitoring guidance for a period of 6 months results in better long term effects on physical and mental outcomes, care consumption and quality of life than traditional follow-up.MethodsIn this single centre randomised controlled trial 120 patients with an absolute indication for cardiac rehabilitation will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group with 6 months of heart rate based telemonitoring guidance or a control group with traditional follow-up after cardiac rehabilitation. The primary endpoint will be VO2peak after 12 months. Secondary endpoints are VO2peak after 6 months, quality of life, physical-, emotional- and social functioning, cardiac structure, traditional risk profile, compliance to the use of the heart rate belt and smartphone, MACE and care-consumption.DiscussionThe TeleCaRe study will provide insight into the added value of the prolongation of traditional cardiac rehabilitation with 6 months of heart rate based telemonitoring guidance.Trial registrationDutch Trial Register: NTR4644 (registered 06/12/14).

The sustained effects of extending cardiac rehabilitation with a six-month telemonitoring and telecoaching programme on fitness, quality of life, cardiovascular risk factors and care utilisation in CAD patients: The TeleCaRe study

“…The intervention group has been previously described. 18 In short, patients in the intervention group were equipped with a smartphone (Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-s5830i, Korea) and Bluetooth-connected heart rate belt (Zephyr, Annapolis, USA). The device registered training mode, training time and training intensity (determined by heart rate).…”

Closing the Gaps in Care of Dyslipidemia: Revolutionizing Management with Digital Health and Innovative Care Models

“…Some programs use nurse-led interventions to improve LLT adherence or educate patients regarding lifestyle modifications [ 135 ]. Furthermore, home-based cardiac rehabilitation programs were implemented using heart rate telemonitoring and telecoaching to improve adherence to exercise, dietary modifications, medical treatment, and to positive lifestyle changes [ 136 , 137 ].…”