The added value of remote technology and the background factors explaining the changes in biopsychosocial functioning in cardiac rehabilitation: cluster randomised controlled trial

Purpose This study aimed to explore added value of mcoach app and activity bracelet in 12-month cardiac rehabilitation on changes in rehabilitee’s biopsychosocial functioning: cardiorespiratory fitness, depressive symptoms and social quality of life compared to similar rehabilitation without remote technology. Additionally, the study explored the factors explaining changes of biopsychosocial functioning. Materials and methods Six groups of coronary rehabilitees were cluster-randomised to experimental (n = 30) or control group (n = 29). Parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses and linear regression analyses were used. Results No differences between the groups regarding changes in VO2max (p = 0.474), DEPS (p = 0.315) or social quality of life (p = 0.592) were observed. Positive changes in the whole study population in VO2max were explained with shorter time from last cardiac operation and higher light activity at the baseline (R2 = 0.309). Smaller increase in DEPS was explained with positive changes in different aspects of social quality of life (R2 = 0.562). Conclusions Remote technology had no added value for rehabilitation, but the results confirmed the importance of early rehabilitation, maintenance of socially meaningful life and the use of biopsychosocial and multidisciplinary approaches. Research defining the needs and types of technology, their timing, to whom and to what extent the remote technology would be most beneficial, is still needed.