Conventional Rehabilitation Therapy Versus Telerehabilitation in Cardiac Patients: A Comparison of Motivation, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life

Helle Spindler, Kasper Leerskov, Katrine Joensson, Gitte Nielsen, Jan Jesper Andreasen and Birthe Dinesen
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Helle Spindler: Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Kasper Leerskov: SMI®, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9200 Aalborg East, Denmark
Katrine Joensson: Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, The Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Gitte Nielsen: Department of Cardiology, Vendsyssel Hospital, 9800 Hjoerring, Denmark
Jan Jesper Andreasen: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
Birthe Dinesen: Laboratory of Welfare Technologies - Telehealth and Telerehabilitation, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9200 Aalborg East, Denmark

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: Telerehabilitation (TR) has gained attention as a promising rehabilitation format. Our study examined how patients responded to TR and whether it provided adequate support for their lifestyle changes and self-care efforts when compared to conventional rehabilitation (CR). Cardiac patients ( n = 136) were randomly assigned to a TR or CR group. The TR group was provided with relevant health care technology for a period of three months, and both groups filled in questionnaires on their motivation for lifestyle changes and self-care psychological distress, and quality of life at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. Patients in both groups were found to be equally motivated for lifestyle changes and self-care ( p < 0.05) and they experienced similar levels of psychological distress and quality of life. TR is comparable to conventional rehabilitation in motivating patients, preventing psychological distress and improving quality of life. Although we observed an initial increase in autonomous motivation in the telerehabilitation group, this positive difference in motivation does not last over time. As such, neither rehabilitation format seems able to ensure long-term motivation. Therefore, TR may serve as a viable replacement for conventional rehabilitation when considered relevant. Further research is needed to enhance long-term motivation, and maybe telerehabilitation can help to achieve this.

Keywords: telerehabilitation; cardiac rehabilitation; anxiety; depression; psychological distress; motivation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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