Technology-based intervention supporting behavioural change for increasing physical activity in cardiac rehab pathway for older adults

The main objective of the proposed research is to strengthen current cardiac rehabilitation practices utilizing ICT, giving more patients access, for longer, at home, and without delay. In current rehabilitation care pathways, some, but not all, patients with cardiovascular diseases receive some kind of institution-based rehabilitation after variable amounts of waiting. After this stage patients return home, and are often left alone with the challenge of managing their health related behaviour such as physical activity. Thus, there is a gap between acute rehabilitation and follow-up management and monitoring of chronic conditions in the post-acute phase, and there is less predictability and continuity in patient care pathways than one would wish for. Most patients are in need of long-term support of health behaviours as well as psycho-social well-being after the traumatic incident cardiac disease often culminates in. The most central health behaviour for increasing physical function as well as emotional well-being, and decreasing risk of reoccurrence of acute cardiac disease is physical activity. eRehab integrates: 1) face-to-face coaching by exercise professionals with 2) Internet-based self-monitoring with automated personally tailored feedback follow-up and peer social support into 3) existing rehabilitation care pathways. The project furthermore proposes to facilitate integrated care by using the eRehab website for coordination of the various key professionals involved throughout the care chain. Specific objectives are: 1. To use advanced ICT to offer personalized support for self-care after cardiac rehabilitation. 2. To achieve more integrated care for cardiac patients.