Using wearable devices in cardiac rehabilitation to increase uptake and intensity of physical activity: a pilot evaluation

Wearable devices to track exercise parameters have received increasing interest in the healthcare sector as a potential tool to help improve patient outcomes, particularly in cardiac rehabilitation. This pilot evaluation assessed the effectiveness of the Fitbit Inspire HR wearable device in increasing exercise intensity and step counts among patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. A total of 39 patients (35 men, four women) undergoing an 8-week cardiac rehabilitation programme participated in the study. All participants were given a Fitbit Inspire HR device to wear both during and outside of sessions. Data regarding their step count, heart rate reserve and Borg scale score were collected at weeks 1, 5 and 8. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 was used to analyse the differences between the time points, with significance set at P≤0.05. Participants’ heart rate reserves and step counts increased significantly between weeks 1 and 5 (P=0.008), then the values were maintained up to week 8. There were no differences between Borg scale scores across the study. Wearable devices, such as Fitbit Inspire HR, can help patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation to track and improve their physical activity both in and outside of the clinical setting, but more research is needed to understand the role of positive feedback and the efficacy of these devices for older patients and women.