About the project
Patients with heart failure have a chronic and progressive disease characterized by symptoms such as swollen legs, fatigue and shortness of breath. These symptoms worsen quickly and can be the cause of readmissions. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether home monitoring can help to identify deteriorations early in the course of the disease, and at the same time teach the patients to better manage their disease. The monitoring process involves measurement of blood pressure, daily heart rate, night heart rate, weight, physical activity, sleep and questions about well-being. We will do this through a telerehabilitation program for patients with heart failure.
Telerehabilitation is understood to mean that information from the measurements sent from the patient’s home to Hjerteportalen.dk, where patients and health professionals can view the data. The purpose of the study is:
- To investigate whether increased knowledge of one’s own data for managing one’s own illness increases the quality of life for patients with heart failure through their participation in a telerehabilitation program
- To investigate whether the use of video consultations can help to reduce visits to cardiac outpatient clinics and prevent readmissions
- To test and evaluate the use of video consultations for patients with heart failure, their relatives and health professionals
- To test and evaluate a “digital guide” that can predict weight changes reported on the Hjerteportalen.dk website
- To develop and test a digital game for use in telerehabilitation
The cardiology department at the Viborg and Skive Regional Hospital and the health centers in Viborg and Skive are participating in the clinical study. The project runs from 2019 to 2023.
Co-creation
Co-creation has been the basis for the development of a telerehabilitation program for patients with heart failure. We have held workshops with patients/citizens, relatives, health professionals from hospitals and health centres, representatives from companies and researchers.
The target group
The target group for the research program is heart failure patients of NYHA class III-IV over the age of 18, and who reside in Viborg or Skive municipality.
Partners in the project
- Viborg Health Center
- Skive Health Center
- Cardiology Department & Cardiac Clinic, Viborg and Skive Regional Hospital
- The Danish Heart Association
- Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
- Department of Psychology, Aarhus University
- Laboratory for Welfare Technology, Department of Medicine and Health Technology, Aalborg University
International collaborating partners
- Cleveland Clinic, USA
- University of California, Berkeley, USA
- University of California, Davis Health System, USA
- Juntendo University Hospital, Japan
Funding
The project is part of a grant of DKK 5 million from the Aage and Johanne Louis-Hansen Foundation with co-financing from collaborating partners and Aalborg University.
Contact
Professor Birthe Dinesen
Email: bid@hst.aau.dk