Effectiveness of a Mobile Application-Based Tele-cardiac Rehabilitation (Tele-CR) Program for Patients With Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): A Randomized Clinical Trial

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death in Taiwan and a major contributor to premature and avoidable mortality worldwide. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary secondary prevention strategy that has been widely proven to reduce morbidity and mortality. However, despite its well-documented benefits, CR remains underutilized due to barriers such as transportation, time constraints, and limited access to facilities. Tele-cardiac rehabilitation (tele-CR), a technology-enabled alternative to traditional center-based CR, has been shown to be both safe and effective in improving clinical and behavioral outcomes. Nevertheless, research on the implementation and effectiveness of tele-CR in Taiwan is still limited.

This project spans a three-year period and is divided into two phases. The present study represents the second phase and aims to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of a six-month tele-CR program in patients with CHD. The primary outcomes include quality of life, self-efficacy, self-management, medication adherence, and mental health status (anxiety and depression). In addition, a comprehensive set of metabolic parameters will be assessed, including BMI, SBP, DBP, FBG, HbA1C, and lipid profile markers such as TG, TC, HDL, and LDL.

The research hypotheses are as follows: the tele-CR program will (1) improve quality of life, self-efficacy, self-management, and medication adherence; (2) reduce levels of anxiety and depression; and (3) lower blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI, and lipid levels, with these effects being sustained up to 12 months post-discharge.

A single-blind, attention-controlled, prospective, randomized clinical trial will be conducted in the cardiology ward of a medical center in northern Taiwan from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027. A total of 126 patients diagnosed with CHD will be purposively recruited upon admission. After completing baseline assessments, participants will be randomly assigned in blocks to either the experimental group (n = 63) or the control group (n = 63). The experimental group will participate in a six-month tele-CR program, consisting of in-hospital motivational interviews, mobile application support, self-management education, and seven scheduled follow-up calls. The control group will receive standard care plus seven routine care calls over the same six-month period following discharge. Both groups will continue to receive usual medical and nursing care throughout the study.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the study hospital. Research assistants will explain the study's objectives and procedures in detail to all eligible participants. Informed written consent will be obtained only after participants' questions have been addressed. Questionnaire data will be collected either via self-administration or with assistance from trained research personnel, based on participant preference. All data collection will take place in a quiet and private environment to ensure accuracy and participant comfort.