Safety and feasibility of tele-cardiac rehabilitation(tele-CR) using remote biological signal monitoring system in oku-noto after 2024 noto peninsula earthquake
M Wakasa, M Miharu, U Eiichi, S Jun, T TaketsuguAbstract
Background
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves outcomes in chronic heart failure but remains underutilized worldwide. In disaster-affected areas such as the Noto Peninsula after the 2024 earthquake, reduced hospital functionality further limits access. Tele-cardiac rehabilitation (Tele-CR) may help by enabling home- or community-based exercise training.
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a three-month Tele-CR program for patients with chronic heart failure in a disaster-affected setting.
Methods
We enrolled 21 patients with chronic heart failure. Participants underwent a three-month Tele-CR program using a wearable electrocardiogram device (hitoe®, NTT DOCOMO, Inc.) and a remote monitoring system operated in collaboration with our Medical University Hospital. Clinical and physiological outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Results
Significant improvements were observed in Borg scale scores (14.8 ± 2.1 to 13.0 ± 1.5, p = 0.0002) and New York Heart Association class (2.2 ± 0.4 to 1.7 ± 0.7, p = 0.0001). No significant changes occurred in blood pressure, heart rate, body weight, or BNP levels. Exercise adherence was high, with 90% of patients completing ≥30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Importantly, no cardiac events, heart failure exacerbations, or hospital readmissions were reported.
Conclusions
Tele-CR enabled safe and effective exercise training, leading to functional improvement in patients with chronic heart failure in a disaster-affected area. It may represent a feasible alternative for patients unable or unwilling to attend center-based CR programs.