Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Multicenter, Mixed Methods, Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a chronic cardiovascular condition with a lifetime risk of 1 in 3 and a prevalence of 3% among adults. AF’s prevalence is predicted to more than double during the next 20 years due to better detection, increasing comorbidities, and an agi...

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Main Authors: Birthe Dinesen, Andi Eie Albertsen, Elisabet Dortea Ragnvaldsdóttir Joensen, Helle Spindler, Katja Møller Jensen, Kristian Kidholm, Lars Frost, Lars Dittman, Mathushan Gunasegaram, Søren Paaske Johnsen, Mads Rovsing Jochumsen, Dorthe Svenstrup
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-02-01
Series:JMIR Research Protocols
Online Access:https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e64259
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author Birthe Dinesen
Andi Eie Albertsen
Elisabet Dortea Ragnvaldsdóttir Joensen
Helle Spindler
Katja Møller Jensen
Kristian Kidholm
Lars Frost
Lars Dittman
Mathushan Gunasegaram
Søren Paaske Johnsen
Mads Rovsing Jochumsen
Dorthe Svenstrup
author_facet Birthe Dinesen
Andi Eie Albertsen
Elisabet Dortea Ragnvaldsdóttir Joensen
Helle Spindler
Katja Møller Jensen
Kristian Kidholm
Lars Frost
Lars Dittman
Mathushan Gunasegaram
Søren Paaske Johnsen
Mads Rovsing Jochumsen
Dorthe Svenstrup
author_sort Birthe Dinesen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a chronic cardiovascular condition with a lifetime risk of 1 in 3 and a prevalence of 3% among adults. AF’s prevalence is predicted to more than double during the next 20 years due to better detection, increasing comorbidities, and an aging population. Due to increased AF prevalence, telerehabilitation has been developed to enhance patient engagement, health care accessibility, and compliance through digital technologies. A telerehabilitation program called “Future Patient—telerehabilitation of patients with AF (FP-AF)” has been developed to enhance rehabilitation for AF. The FP-AF program comprises two modules: (1) an education and monitoring module using telerehabilitation technologies (4 months) and (2) a follow-up module, where patients can measure steps and access a data and knowledge-sharing portal, HeartPortal, using their digital devices. Those patients in the FP-AF program measure their heart rhythm, pulse, blood pressure, weight, steps, and sleep. Patients also complete web-based questionnaires regarding their well-being and coping with AF. All recorded data are transmitted to the HeartPortal, accessible to patients, relatives, and health care professionals. ObjectiveThis paper aims to describe the research design, outcome measures, and data collection techniques in a clinical trial of the FP-AF program for patients with AF. MethodsThis is a multicenter, mixed methods, randomized controlled trial. Patients are recruited from AF clinics serving the North Jutland region of Denmark. The telerehabilitation group will participate in the FP-AF program, while the control group will follow the conventional care regime based on physical visits to the AF clinic. The primary outcome measure is AF-specific health-related quality of life, to be assessed using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are knowledge of AF; measurement of vital parameters; level of anxiety and depression; degree of motivation; burden of AF; use of the HeartPortal; qualitative exploration of patients’, relatives’, and health care professionals’ experiences of participating in the FP-AF program; cost-effectiveness evaluation of the program; and analysis of multiparametric monitoring data. Outcomes are assessed through data from digital technologies, interviews, and questionnaires. ResultsPatient enrollment began in January 2023 and will be completed by December 2024, with a total of 208 patients enrolled. Qualitative interviews conducted in spring 2024 will be analyzed and published in peer-reviewed journals in 2025. Data from questionnaires and digital technologies will be analyzed upon study completion and presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals by the fall of 2025. ConclusionsResults from the FP-AF study will determine whether the FP-AF program can increase quality of life for patients with AF and increase their knowledge of symptoms and living with AF in everyday life compared to conventional AF care. The cost-effectiveness evaluation will determine whether telerehabilitation can be a viable alternative for rehabilitation of patients with AF. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT06101485; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06101485 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/64259
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spelling doaj-art-efce27c469744c7c81a1a93c5ed297042025-08-20T02:43:54ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Research Protocols1929-07482025-02-0114e6425910.2196/64259Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Multicenter, Mixed Methods, Randomized Controlled TrialBirthe Dinesenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5893-9676Andi Eie Albertsenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3046-7739Elisabet Dortea Ragnvaldsdóttir Joensenhttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-7556-978XHelle Spindlerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7098-5699Katja Møller Jensenhttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-1507-7383Kristian Kidholmhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1037-6514Lars Frosthttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9215-9796Lars Dittmanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3660-6165Mathushan Gunasegaramhttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-8041-9508Søren Paaske Johnsenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0053-5649Mads Rovsing Jochumsenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7729-4359Dorthe Svenstruphttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7555-5364 BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a chronic cardiovascular condition with a lifetime risk of 1 in 3 and a prevalence of 3% among adults. AF’s prevalence is predicted to more than double during the next 20 years due to better detection, increasing comorbidities, and an aging population. Due to increased AF prevalence, telerehabilitation has been developed to enhance patient engagement, health care accessibility, and compliance through digital technologies. A telerehabilitation program called “Future Patient—telerehabilitation of patients with AF (FP-AF)” has been developed to enhance rehabilitation for AF. The FP-AF program comprises two modules: (1) an education and monitoring module using telerehabilitation technologies (4 months) and (2) a follow-up module, where patients can measure steps and access a data and knowledge-sharing portal, HeartPortal, using their digital devices. Those patients in the FP-AF program measure their heart rhythm, pulse, blood pressure, weight, steps, and sleep. Patients also complete web-based questionnaires regarding their well-being and coping with AF. All recorded data are transmitted to the HeartPortal, accessible to patients, relatives, and health care professionals. ObjectiveThis paper aims to describe the research design, outcome measures, and data collection techniques in a clinical trial of the FP-AF program for patients with AF. MethodsThis is a multicenter, mixed methods, randomized controlled trial. Patients are recruited from AF clinics serving the North Jutland region of Denmark. The telerehabilitation group will participate in the FP-AF program, while the control group will follow the conventional care regime based on physical visits to the AF clinic. The primary outcome measure is AF-specific health-related quality of life, to be assessed using the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are knowledge of AF; measurement of vital parameters; level of anxiety and depression; degree of motivation; burden of AF; use of the HeartPortal; qualitative exploration of patients’, relatives’, and health care professionals’ experiences of participating in the FP-AF program; cost-effectiveness evaluation of the program; and analysis of multiparametric monitoring data. Outcomes are assessed through data from digital technologies, interviews, and questionnaires. ResultsPatient enrollment began in January 2023 and will be completed by December 2024, with a total of 208 patients enrolled. Qualitative interviews conducted in spring 2024 will be analyzed and published in peer-reviewed journals in 2025. Data from questionnaires and digital technologies will be analyzed upon study completion and presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals by the fall of 2025. ConclusionsResults from the FP-AF study will determine whether the FP-AF program can increase quality of life for patients with AF and increase their knowledge of symptoms and living with AF in everyday life compared to conventional AF care. The cost-effectiveness evaluation will determine whether telerehabilitation can be a viable alternative for rehabilitation of patients with AF. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT06101485; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06101485 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/64259https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e64259
spellingShingle Birthe Dinesen
Andi Eie Albertsen
Elisabet Dortea Ragnvaldsdóttir Joensen
Helle Spindler
Katja Møller Jensen
Kristian Kidholm
Lars Frost
Lars Dittman
Mathushan Gunasegaram
Søren Paaske Johnsen
Mads Rovsing Jochumsen
Dorthe Svenstrup
Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Multicenter, Mixed Methods, Randomized Controlled Trial
JMIR Research Protocols
title Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Multicenter, Mixed Methods, Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Multicenter, Mixed Methods, Randomized Controlled Trial
title_fullStr Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Multicenter, Mixed Methods, Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full_unstemmed Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Multicenter, Mixed Methods, Randomized Controlled Trial
title_short Future Patient—Telerehabilitation of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Multicenter, Mixed Methods, Randomized Controlled Trial
title_sort future patient telerehabilitation of patients with atrial fibrillation protocol for a multicenter mixed methods randomized controlled trial
url https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e64259
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