Physical Therapy Programs in Older Adults with Coronary Artery Disease: Preferences to Technology-Based Cardiac Physical Therapy Programs

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 12;19(20):13130. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013130.

Abstract

(1) Background: Assessing preferences in technology-based cardiac physical therapy programs in older adults with coronary artery disease (CAD) is fundamental to promoting adherence to healthy lifestyles and healthy aging. This study aimed at analyzing preferences in technology-based cardiac physical therapy programs in older adults with CAD. Additionally, a comparison by sex was performed. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional study. 70 older adults with CAD (mean age 66.73 ± 0.77, 80% men) were evaluated. Technology use and preferences in technology-based cardiac physical therapy programs (Technology Usage Questionnaire) were assessed. (3) Results: 97.1% of the sample had Smartphones and 81.4% accessed the Internet every day, mostly with their Smartphones (75.5%). A total of 54.3% were interested in receiving rehabilitation via their Smartphone, and most of the sample considered ideas to manage stress (92.9%), healthy meal ideas and recipes (85.7%), exercise ideas (84.3%), exercise prompts (72.9%), setting goals (67.1%), exercise taught by a virtual therapist (65.7%), ideas to overcome cigarette cravings (62.9%), information on local exercise opportunities (60%), ideas to remember to take medications (57.1%), steps to achieve goals (54.3%) and eating tips for takeaways (51.7%) very useful. Additionally, men considered the technology-based advice about exercise prompts, healthy meal ideas and recipes, and ideas to manage stress more useful than women, and had more frequently a Smartphone, less frequently made phone calls, had more regular access to the Internet, and used the Internet more often. (4) Conclusions: Clinicians should encourage older adults to engage in cardiac technology-based physical therapy programs to provide meaningful exercise counselling, promote healthy lifestyle and healthy aging.

Keywords: coronary artery disease; exercise; healthy lifestyle; ischemic heart disease; older adults; physical therapy; technology-based physical therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / therapy
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Technology

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.