Exercise-Based Real-time Telerehabilitation for Older Adult Patients Recently Discharged After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Barbara Cristina Brocki; Jan Jesper Andreasen; Jens Aaroe; Jane Andreasen; Charlotte Brun Thorup

doi:10.2196/34819

Exercise-Based Real-time Telerehabilitation for Older Adult Patients Recently Discharged After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2022 Apr 26;9(2):e34819. doi: 10.2196/34819.

Authors

Barbara Cristina Brocki^#¹, Jan Jesper Andreasen², Jens Aaroe³, Jane Andreasen¹, Charlotte Brun Thorup⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
² Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital and Clinical Institute, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
³ Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
⁴ Clinic of Anesthesiology, Child Disease, Circulation and Women, Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 35471263
PMCID: PMC9092235
DOI: 10.2196/34819

Abstract

Background: The use of telehealth technology to improve functional recovery following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has not been investigated.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine the feasibility of exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation after TAVI.

Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, nonrandomized study using a mixed methods approach. Data collection included testing, researchers' observations, logbooks, and individual patient interviews, which were analyzed using a content analysis approach. The intervention lasted 3 weeks and consisted of home-based web-based exercise training, an activity tracker, a TAVI information website, and 1 web-based session with a nurse.

Results: Of the initially included 13 patients, 5 (40%) completed the study and were interviewed; the median age was 82 (range 74-84) years, and the sample comprised 3 men and 2 women. Easy access to supervised exercise training at home with real-time feedback and use of the activity tracker to count daily steps were emphasized by the patients who completed the intervention. Reasons for patients not completing the program included poor data coverage, participants' limited information technology skills, and a lack of functionality in the systems used. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: Exercise-based telerehabilitation for older people after TAVI, in the population as included in this study, and delivered as a web-based intervention, does not seem feasible, as 60% (8/13) of patients did not complete the study. Those completing the intervention highly appreciated the real-time feedback during the web-based training sessions. Future studies should address aspects that support retention rates and enhance patients' information technology skills.

Keywords: cardiac rehabilitation; cardiac surgery; exercise training; older adults; tablet; telerehabilitation; transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

©Barbara Cristina Brocki, Jan Jesper Andreasen, Jens Aaroe, Jane Andreasen, Charlotte Brun Thorup. Originally published in JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology (https://rehab.jmir.org), 26.04.2022.