Does Connected Health Technology Improve Health-Related Outcomes in Rural Cardiac Populations? Systematic Review Narrative Synthesis

Matthew James Fraser, Trish Gorely, Chris O’Malley, David J. Muggeridge, Oonagh M. Giggins and Daniel R. Crabtree
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Matthew James Fraser: Division of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK
Trish Gorely: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Centre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK
Chris O’Malley: Library, Centre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK
David J. Muggeridge: School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH11 4DE, UK
Oonagh M. Giggins: NetwellCASALA, Dundalk Institute of Technology, A91 K584 Dundalk, Ireland
Daniel R. Crabtree: Division of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: Individuals living in rural areas are more likely to experience cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and have increased barriers to regular physical activity in comparison to those in urban areas. This systematic review aimed to understand the types and effects of home-based connected health technologies, used by individuals living in rural areas with CVD. The inclusion criteria included technology deployed at the participant’s home and could be an mHealth (smart device, fitness tracker or app) or telehealth intervention. Nine electronic databases were searched across the date range January 1990–June 2021. A total of 207 full texts were screened, of which five studies were included, consisting of 603 participants. Of the five studies, four used a telehealth intervention and one used a form of wearable technology. All interventions which used a form of telehealth found a reduction in overall healthcare utilisation, and one study found improvements in CVD risk factors. Acceptability of the technologies was mixed, in some studies barriers and challenges were cited. Based on the findings, there is great potential for implementing connected health technologies, but due to the low number of studies which met the inclusion criteria, further research is required within rural areas for those living with cardiovascular disease.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; digital technology; wearable technology; rural; connected health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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