1Department of General Surgery, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research
2Department of Cardiology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research
3Department of Cardiology, Meenakshi College of Allied Health Sciences & Meenakshi Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research
4Department of Pharmacology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research
5Arulmigu Meenakshi College of Nursing, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research
6Meenakshi College of Physiotherapy, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research
Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a blue ocean of secondary cardiovascular prevention and attendance rates are low in rural areas, minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. New opportunities can be used to enhance access and adherence with telemedicine and wearable-supported CR programs.
Objective: To compare clinical and functional and engagement outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation through a variety of demographic and socioeconomic groups, which is fully enabled and incorporated into wearable technology.
Method: Several centres were used in a multicentre cohort study to recruit adults who had experienced a myocardial infarction recently, heart failure or revascularization. The subjects were enrolled in a 12-week hybrid CR program that included the use of the virtual visits, long-distance coaching, and consistent monitoring using wearable sensors that tracked heart rate, physical activity and arrhythmic events. Comparison was conducted in terms of age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic strata. Main study endpoints were exercise capacity, blood pressure and health-related quality of life. Secondary measures were adherence, 90-day readmission and rehospitalization.
Results: Telemedicine-wearable CR showed great changes in peak functional capacity (↑18) and systolic blood pressure (↓9 mmHg) and quality-of-life scores (improved in all the groups). The rate of adherence was also greater in the rural population and those with transportation or mobility disabilities. The minorities and less-income groups reported similar improvements in clinical gains but somewhat lower measures of device-engagement. Ninety-day readmission was cut by 22 percent as compared to the historical controls.
Conclusion: Telemedicine and wearable-supported CR provide significant clinical value and enhance the access of underserved populations, and should be more actively integrated in the pathways of contemporary cardiovascular care.
Keywords: wearable devices, virtual rehabilitation, telemedicine, remote monitoring, Cardiac rehabilitation.
How to cite this article: Ganesan M, Aashish A, Rose S, Packirisamy S, Kalpana P, Rani S. Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Era of Telemedicine and Wearables: Outcomes in Diverse Populations. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(10s): 114-119; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.10s.16
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None