Ambulatory rehabilitation using telemedicine after cardiac surgery reduced rehabilitation costs by 58% and resulted in fewer incidents of angina pectoris (p < 0.01) compared to in-hospital care.
Does ambulatory rehabilitation using telemedicine improve physical performance and quality of life compared to conventional in-hospital rehabilitation in patients after cardiac surgery?
Home-based telemedicine rehabilitation after cardiac surgery appears to be safe, less expensive, and potentially more effective for improving quality of life and reducing angina than conventional in-hospital rehabilitation.
In-hospital rehabilitation can improve recovery of patients after surgery, but also contributes to the high costs of the German health system. A telemedicine-based rehabilitation used in the home as an alternative to in-hospital rehabilitation was evaluated in a pilot study. In an open trial, 170 patients performed a 3-month ambulatory rehabilitation after cardiac surgery. There were two groups (group 1 n = 70 and group 2 n = 100). Group 1 participated in conventional in-hospital rehabilitation. Group 2 received ambulant rehabilitation using telemedicine. Physical performance, quality of life, (measured with a questionnaire), complications and costs were assessed and compared between the two groups. Maximal physical performance (MPP) was assessed at 6 and at 12 months after cardiac surgery. It was significantly increased by 46-54 watts in both study groups compared to their baseline value. Moreover, physical and psychological quality of life had increased in both study groups compared to baseline values. However, group 2 was the only group to show statistical significance in all categories. Fewer incidents of angina pectoris were reported within the study interval in group 2 compared to group 1 (p < 0.01). The total cost of rehabilitation was 58% lower in group 2 compared to group 1. Ambulatory rehabilitation using telemedicine improves physical performance, quality of life, is safe, and is inexpensive. Our data indicate that home-based rehabilitation is more effective than in-hospital rehabilitation for patients after cardiac surgery.
Körtke et al. (Tue,) conducted a other in Post-cardiac surgery (n=170). Ambulant rehabilitation using telemedicine vs. Conventional in-hospital rehabilitation was evaluated on Physical performance, quality of life, complications and costs. Ambulatory rehabilitation using telemedicine after cardiac surgery reduced rehabilitation costs by 58% and resulted in fewer incidents of angina pectoris (p < 0.01) compared to in-hospital care.