ACTRN12613000390785. [Hwang R, Bruning J, Morris NR, Mandrusiak A, Russell T (2017) Home-based telerehabilitation is not inferior to a centre-based program in patients with chronic heart failure: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy 63: 101-107].
a b s t r a c tObjectives: To describe patient experiences and perspectives of a group-based heart failure (HF) telerehabilitation program delivered to the homes via online video-conferencing. Background: Limited information currently exists on patient experiences of telerehabilitation for HF. Patient feedback and end-user perspectives provide important information regarding the acceptability of this new delivery model which may have a substantial impact on future uptake. Methods: We used mixed-methods design with purposive sampling of patients with HF. We used selfreport surveys and semi-structured interviews to measure patient experiences and perspectives following a 12-week telerehabilitation program. The telerehabilitation program encompassed groupbased exercise and education, and were delivered in real-time via videoconferencing. Interviews were transcribed and coded, with thematic analysis undertaken. Results: Seventeen participants with HF (mean age [SD] of 69 [12] years and 88% males) were recruited. Participants reported high visual clarity and ease of use for the monitoring equipment. Major themes included motivating and inhibiting influences related to telerehabilitation and improvement suggestions. Participants liked the health benefits, access to care and social support. Participants highlighted a need for improved audio clarity and connectivity as well computer training for those with limited computer experience. The majority of participants preferred a combined face-to-face and online delivery model. Conclusion: Participants in this study reported high visual clarity and ease-of-use, but provided suggestions for further improvements in group-based video telerehabilitation for HF.Crown
Although telerehabilitation shows promise in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, compelling evidence is still limited. There is a need for more detailed, high-quality studies and for studies on the use of video-based telerehabilitation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.