The Association Between Mobile App Use and Change in Functional Capacity Among Cardiac Rehabilitation Participants:...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Digital Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is underutilized globally, with existing disparities in access.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth CR and mobile health applications.
• Understanding the impact of digital tools in CR is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between CR mobile app usage and changes in functional capacity.
• To determine if CR mobile app use correlates with improvements in blood pressure (BP).
• To investigate the relationship between mobile app engagement and CR program completion rates.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 107 participants in an urban CR program.
• Mobile app usage was measured by exercise logs, vitals logs, and educational content views.
• Functional capacity (6-minute walk distance) and BP changes were analyzed using multivariable regression models.

Main Results:

• Participants showed significant improvements in 6-minute walk distance and BP, regardless of app use.
• No significant association was found between the frequency of app interactions (exercise logs, vitals logs, education views) and improvements in functional capacity or BP.
• Mobile app engagement did not correlate with a higher likelihood of completing the CR program.

Conclusions:

• Utilizing a CR mobile app within in-person, hybrid, or telehealth programs did not enhance functional capacity improvements.
• CR mobile app use was not linked to greater reductions in blood pressure.
• Mobile app engagement did not influence the rate of program completion.