Original Title: Téléréadaptation cardiaque et respiratoire

Authors' objectives: In order to optimize the management of patients suffering from coronary artery disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), medical organizations and societies recommend undertaking a cardiac or respiratory rehabilitation program, respectively. At the Cardiac Disease Prevention Pavilion, telerehabilitation has been implemented for the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients following hospitalization related to a COVID19 diagnosis. More recently, it was also implemented for patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the best practices for this intervention. In this context, the Multidisciplinary Services Directorate requested the Health Technology Assessment Unit (HTAU) of the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute – Laval University (Institute) to evaluate the best practices in terms of optimal and safe use of pulmonary or cardiac telerehabilitation.

Authors' results and conclusions: The recommendations of professional organizations were favourable to the use of telerehabilitation for either cardiac or respiratory aspects. Scientific literature suggests that both cardiac and respiratory telerehabilitation are as effective and safe compared to rehabilitation performed “in person” at a center, as it relates to outcomes of exercise capacity, health-related quality of life, and completion or adherence rates. In this context, it is recommended to maintain the offering of telerehabilitation for patients in the cardiac rehabilitation pathway and to enhance it according to the needs identified by users and clinicians. It is also recommended to maintain the offer of telerehabilitation for patients in the pulmonary pathway and to continuously evaluate possible improvements to enhance access to this pathway. The criteria optimising patient eligibility for cardiac telerehabilitation was not subject to a consensus in the literature. Therefore, the working group ruled on several criteria, established by professional organizations, as they related to the management of high-risk patients.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.iucpq.ca/a-propos-de-nous/excellence/evaluation-des-technologies-et-modes-dintervention-en-sante/

Year Published: 2025

URL for published report: https://www.iucpq.ca/app/uploads/2025/06/RAP_Telereadaptation_05-2025-1.pdf

Requestor: Multidisciplinary Services Directorate

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Full HTA

Country: Canada

Province: Quebec

Organisation Name: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec – Université Laval (IUCPQ-ULaval)

Contact Address: 2725, chemin Sainte-Foy Québec QC G1V 4G5

Contact Name: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Contact Email: uetmis.iucpq@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Copyright: Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval