Effectiveness of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation based on wearable ECG or heart rate monitoring devices in patients with heart disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation based on wearable electrocardiogram or heart rate monitoring devices in patients with heart disease.

Methods: We searched eight electronic databases under the guidance of Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA recommendations.

Results: The meta-analysis included data from 14 articles (15 RCTs) representing 1314 participants. A significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction [MD = 2.12, 95 % CI (1.21, 3.04), P < 0.001], 6-minute walk distance [MD = 40.00, 95 % CI (21.72, 58.29), P < 0.001] and peak oxygen intake [MD = 2.24, 95 % CI (1.38, 3.10), P < 0.001] were observed in the home-based cardiac telerehabilitation group. But it had no difference in anxiety [SMD = -0.83, 95 % CI (-1.65, -0.02), P = 0.05] and depression [SMD = -0.59, 95 % CI (-1.26, 0.09), P = 0.09]. Subgroup analyses revealed that interventions of no less than 3 months improved anxiety [SMD = -1.11, 95 % CI (-2.05, -0.18), P = 0.02] and depression [SMD = -1.01, 95 % CI (-1.93, -0.08), P = 0.03].

Conclusions: Home-based cardiac telerehabilitation based on wearable electrocardiogram or heart rate monitoring devices has a positive effect on cardiac function. Long-term (≥ 3 months) cardiac rehabilitation might benefit individuals suffering from anxiety or depression.