La Trobe University research with Bendigo Health shows telehealth cardiac rehabilitation can deliver the same clinical outcomes as traditional centre-based programs, expanding access for patients in regional and rural communities.
Researchers working with people recovering from coronary heart disease found that when patients completed the same exercise intensity and number of sessions, those participating via telehealth achieved equivalent gains in cardiorespiratory fitness, a key predictor of long-term survival.
Importantly, the telehealth group exceeded prescribed exercise duration, highlighting strong engagement when programs are supported by wearable fitness trackers and weekly coaching using motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy (MI CBT). The study also found improvements in vascular health and quality of life across both groups, with no safety concerns reported.
Led by Dr Blake Collins from the Holsworth Biomedical Research Centre and conducted in partnership with Bendigo Health, the research was designed as a randomised controlled trial (RCT), widely regarded as the gold standard for establishing cause-and-effect relationships. This rigorous methodology provides strong evidence that telehealth cardiac rehabilitation can deliver outcomes comparable to traditional centre-based programs.
“Previous research hasn’t done a great job of measuring how much exercise is achieved in telehealth programs. The novelty of this research is demonstrating the effectiveness of MI CBT-supported telehealth while accurately measuring how much exercise is completed,” said Dr Blake Collins, lead researcher.
These findings suggest telehealth cardiac rehabilitation can remove access barriers without compromising outcomes, providing a scalable, evidence-based solution to low enrolment and participation rates in regional areas.
Cardiac rehabilitation saves lives, but many Australians miss out due to distance, time or access issues. This research demonstrates that technology-enabled care can deliver the same clinical benefits, helping to close the gap in rural heart health.
