Effectiveness of Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation with Optimized Exercise Prescriptions Using a Mobile Healthcare App in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Despite the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), the actual participation rate in CR is low. While home-based CR offers a viable alternative, it faces challenges in participation due to factors such as a lack of self-motivation and fear of exercising without supervision. Utilizing a mobile healthcare application (app) during counseling may be an effective strategy for patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether 6 weeks of home-based CR with exercise readjustment using a mobile app is an effective therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Post-AMI patients eligible for home-based CR were randomized into the intervention group (CR-Mobile) and the control group, which followed the usual home-based CR protocol (CR-Usual). Both groups participated in a 6-week home-based CR program, with exercise readjustment and encouragement carried out every 2 weeks. The CR-Mobile group was supervised using data recorded in the mobile app, while the CR-Usual group was supervised via phone consultations. The primary outcome measured was maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Results: Within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in VO2max (PCR-Mobile = 0.011 vs. PCR-Usual = 0.020) and METs (PCR-Mobile = 0.011 vs. PCR-Usual = 0.011) for both groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a 6-week home-based CR program with exercise readjustment using a mobile app can potentially enhance exercise capacity as effectively as verbal supervision.