Cardiovascular telerehabilitation improves functional capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction The aim was to identify whether cardiovascular telerehabilitation programs (CV-T-REHAB) can improve functional capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life (QoL) to the same extent of presential rehabilitation (CV-P-REHAB) in older adults, by meta-analysis of previous studies. Methods Literature search was conducted in October 2020 in four databases to select controlled trials of CV-T-REHAB effects on functional capacity (six-minute walk test [6MWT]), cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen consumption [[Formula: see text]O 2max ]), and QoL in older adults (> 50 years) and included new articles in April 2022. Results CV-T-REHAB improved 6MWT (11.14 m [CI95% = 8.03; 14.26], p < 0.001), [Formula: see text]O 2max (1.18 ml/kg/min [CI95% = 0.70; 1.66], p < 0.001), and QoL (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.36 [CI95% = 0.05; 0.67], p = 0.02). CV-T-REHAB increased [Formula: see text]O 2max to a greater extent than CV-P-REHAB (1.08 ml/kg/min [0.39; 1.76], p = 0.002). Although the 6MWT and [Formula: see text]O 2max analyses proved consistent and homogeneous, the QoL analysis showed considerable inconsistency ( I 2 = 92.90%), suggesting the need for studies exploring the effect of CV-T-REHAB on QoL in this population. Part of the heterogeneity was explained by age differences, as CV-T-REHAB improved QoL in adults >65 years, but not in adults <64 years. Conclusion CV-T-REHAB improved cardiorespiratory fitness to a level equal to or higher than CV-P-REHAB and improved functional capacity and QoL; being mainly effective for QoL in older adults >65 years. Thus, CV-T-REHAB can be a good alternative, when not the best option and might be considered especially for individuals with limited access to participate in face-to-face programs.