The effect of web based cardiac rehabilitation support on the healthy lifestyle behaviors, medication adherence and quality of life in coronary artery patients

This study was carried out as a randomized controlled experimental study to evaluate the effect of web-based cardiac rehabilitation support on the healthy lifestyle behaviors, medication adherence and quality of life in coronary heart patients. The study was completed with a total of 70 patients, who were 35 experimental and 35 controls. After discharge, the patients in the experimental group were given web-based education and telephone counseling for 12 weeks. No different application was applied to the control group patients. Data were collected with questionnaires, questions of medication adherence, healthy lifestyle behaviors scale II, international physical activity questionnaire and EQ-5D general quality of life scale. It was found that the patients in the experimental group had significantly higher post-test healthy lifestyle behaviors scale total score (p=0.000) and sub-dimension scores of health responsibility (p=0.001), physical activity (p=0.000), spiritual development (p=0.013), interpersonal relationships (p=0.000), and stress management (p=0.000). It was determined that the post-test international physical activity score of the experimental group patients was significantly higher (p=0.048). While there was no difference between the groups in terms of the post-test EQ-5D general quality of life scale index score (p<0.05), the VAS scale scores of the experimental group patients were found to be significantly higher (p=0.002). It was determined that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of post-test medication adherence (p<0.05). In addition, it was determined that the number of non-smoking patients in the post-test was higher in the experimental group patients and the difference was significant (p=0.031). According to the data obtained from the experimental group patients for the website, it was determined that the website was at a usable level. The results showed that web-based cardiac rehabilitation support is an effective method improving healthy lifestyle behaviors, physically active, and improving quality of life, and quitting smoking in coronary artery disease patients.