%0 Journal Article
%@ 2561-1011
%I JMIR Publications
%V 6
%N 1
%P e24174
%T The Impact of a Mobile App on Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Understanding Barriers to Success: Comparative Cohort Study
%A Rivers,John T
%A Smith,Carla
%A Smith,Ian
%A Cameron,James
%+ Queensland Cardiovascular Group, St Andrew's Specialist Centre, 457 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, 4004, Australia, 61 438601941, johnr@qcg.com.au
%K cardiac rehabilitation
%K digital health
%K smartphone app
%K Cardihab
%K participation rates
%K rehabilitation
%K cardiology
%K heart
%K app
%K barrier
%D 2022
%7 17.1.2022
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Cardio
%G English
%X Background: Poor patient uptake of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains a challenge for multiple reasons including geographic, time, cultural, cost, and psychological constraints. Objective: We evaluated the impact on CR participation rates associated with the addition of the option of mobile app–based CR (Cardihab) for patients declining conventional CR. Methods: A total of 204 consecutive patients were offered CR following angioplasty; of these, 99 were in cohort 1 (offered conventional CR only) and 105 were in cohort 2 (app-based CR offered to those declining conventional CR). Patients in each cohort were followed throughout a 6-week CR program and participation rates were compared for both groups. Patients in cohort 2 declining both forms of CR were interviewed to assess reasons for nonparticipation. Results: CR participation improved from 21% (95% CI 14%-30%) to 63% (95% CI 53%-71%) with the addition of the app (P<.001). Approximately 25% (9/39) of the group declining the app-based program identified technology issues as the reason for nonparticipation. The remainder declined both CR programs or were ineligible due to frailty or comorbidities. Conclusions: Providing patients with the additional option of an app-based CR program substantially improved CR participation. Technology and psychological barriers can limit CR participation. Further innovation in CR delivery systems is required to improve uptake. 
%M 35037891
%R 10.2196/24174
%U https://cardio.jmir.org/2022/1/e24174
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/24174
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35037891