Effectiveness of Digital Cardiac Rehabilitation on Functional Capacity in Patients With Myocardial Infarction

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Conventional Treatment group: Duration \& Frequency: A 12-week supervised program with 3 sessions per week for both groups. Session Structure: Warm-up (5-10 min): Low-intensity stretching and rhythmic movements. Aerobic Training (20-40 min): Treadmill exercise prescribed at 40%-60% Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) using the Karvonen formula. Precision Intensity Target: HR{max} is derived from a symptom-limited exercise stress test (rather than age-predicted formulas) to keep intensity safely below the patient's ischemic or symptomatic threshold. Resistance \& Cool-down: Major muscle group resistance training (1-2 sets of 10-15 reps), cool-down exercises, and breathing techniques. Patient Education: Covers risk-factor modification, medication adherence (e.g., beta-blockers), nutrition, and smoking cessation for secondary prevention.

Digital and Conventional treatment: Treatment Procedure for the Digital Component:· In addition to the conventional outpatient program, participants in the experimental group will receive a digital support package comprising: An initial orientation session on application use, symptom reporting, exercise safety, and home monitoring. A smartphone application and/or secure messaging platform for education, reminders, and communication.· A smart phone for step counting and activity monitoring.· Home-based walking or prescribed physical activity on non-clinic days, logged through the digital platform.· Weekly tele coaching or teleconsultation to review progress, symptoms, barriers, and goals.· Automated reminders and motivational messages to support adherence.· Clinician-reviewed adjustment of home activity targets based on symptoms, safety criteria, and monitored activity data.

Study summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a digital health-supported cardiac rehabilitation program works to improve functional capacity, adherence, quality of life, and psychological status in cardiac patients. It will also learn about the effect of digital health support when added to conventional outpatient cardiac rehabilitation.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does a digital health-supported cardiac rehabilitation program improve functional capacity?

How does digital health support affect patients' adherence to cardiac rehabilitation?

How does the program affect patients' quality of life and psychological status?

Researchers will compare digital health-supported cardiac rehabilitation combined with conventional outpatient cardiac rehabilitation to conventional outpatient cardiac rehabilitation alone to determine whether digital support improves functional, behavioral, and psychological outcomes in phase II cardiac patients.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to receive either digital health-supported hybrid cardiac rehabilitation in addition to conventional outpatient cardiac rehabilitation or conventional outpatient cardiac rehabilitation alone.

Have their functional exercise capacity assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) as the primary outcome measure.

Complete assessments to evaluate cardiac rehabilitation adherence and engagement, health-related quality of life, and psychological status.

Have resting heart rate and blood pressure monitored as part of the clinical assessment.

Participants in the digital health-supported group will also use digital health tools for activity monitoring, exercise adherence, reminders, education, communication, and weekly telecoaching.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT): — 12 weeks
  Functional exercise capacity was evaluated using the 6MWT to determine the total Six-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) in meters. The assessment adhered to standardized American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines, utilizing a 30-meter flat, unobstructed indoor corridor. Standardized encouragement phrases were provided at 1-minute intervals. To eliminate the learning effect, a practice walk was conducted prior to baseline data collection. Continuous heart rate dynamics during the walk were monitored using a synchronized smartwatch (Huawei Watch Fit 3, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.). The 6MWD was evaluated at baseline and following the 12-week intervention period

Trial sites (1)

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