Cardiac telerehabilitation is non-inferior to traditional center-based programs in improving exercise capacity and quality of life, while increasing program participation through digital tools.
Does digital health and telerehabilitation improve exercise capacity and quality of life in patients requiring cardiac rehabilitation?
Digitalization of cardiac rehabilitation, including telerehabilitation and AI, represents a cost-effective, non-inferior alternative to traditional center-based programs that can increase global access and participation.
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Background/Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a cornerstone of secondary prevention, traditionally delivered through supervised center-based models. However, significant logistical barriers and high healthcare costs necessitate a paradigm shift. This review aims to assess the impact of emerging digital frontiers, specifically telerehabilitation (CTR) and artificial intelligence (AI), on overcoming these challenges and improving clinical outcomes. Methods: This study is a narrative, clinically oriented review informed by a structured search of PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE for literature published between January 2015 and January 2026. Results: Evidence indicates that CTR is non-inferior to center-based programs in terms of exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL). Digital tools, such as wearable devices and mobile health (mHealth) applications, have significantly increased program participation and improved adherence to lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, the integration of AI facilitates early detection of cardiac events and personalized exercise prescription, while prehabilitation models have been shown to reduce postoperative hospital stays. Conclusions: Digitalization of CR may represent a cost-effective alternative that bridges the gap in global access. While technology serves as an essential diagnostic partner, a robust regulatory and privacy framework is required to protect data sovereignty. Ultimately, multidisciplinary synergy between human expertise and digital innovation is important for providing an equitable and personalized pathway to recovery.
Mauriello et al. (Wed,) reported a other. Cardiac telerehabilitation is non-inferior to traditional center-based programs in improving exercise capacity and quality of life, while increasing program participation through digital tools.