Effects of Different Telerehabilitation Methods In Patients With Hypertension (TELE-HT)

Hacettepe University31 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to compare two different ways of providing exercise therapy to people with high blood pressure (hypertension) through digital technology. Participants are divided into two groups: one group performs exercises at home while being watched and guided by a physiotherapist in real-time through video calls (synchronous). The other group performs the same exercises by watching pre-recorded videos on their own (asynchronous). The study measures how these two methods affect the patients' exercise capacity, daily blood pressure levels, heart functions, and their ability to manage their own health over an 8-week period.

In this randomized, controlled, single-blinded study, 35 hypertensive individuals are assigned to either a synchronous telerehabilitation (STR) or an asynchronous telerehabilitation (ATR) group. Both groups perform an 8-week aerobic-based calisthenics program consisting of 24 sessions (3 sessions per week, 45 minutes each). The STR group exercises under the live supervision of a physiotherapist via videoconferencing. The ATR group uses pre-recorded video content and maintains an exercise diary. During all sessions, heart rate is monitored in real-time using wearable smartbands to maintain a submaximal intensity (70-85% of age-predicted maximum heart rate). Assessments performed at baseline and at the 8th week include ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), maximal stress tests, self-care inventories, physical activity and body composition.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Interventions

Synchronous Cardiac TelerehabilitationBEHAVIORAL

An 8-week aerobic-based calisthenics program consisting of 24 sessions (3 sessions/week, 45 minutes each). Exercises are performed in real-time under the live supervision of a physiotherapist via videoconferencing (WhatsApp). Intensity is maintained at 70-85% of age-predicted maximum heart rate, monitored in real-time using a wearable smartband. Exercises include high knees, knee-to-elbow, side jacks, and other calisthenics.

Asynchronous Cardiac TelerehabilitationBEHAVIORAL

The same 8-week aerobic-based calisthenics program (24 sessions, 3 sessions/week) as the STR group. Exercises are performed independently by participants using pre-recorded video content. Participants maintain an exercise diary to record heart rate and blood pressure levels, which are reviewed weekly by a physiotherapist. Exercise intensity is adjusted weekly based on data from the participant's wearable smartband.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of systemic hypertension. * Age between 18 and 65 years. * Access to the internet. * Ownership of a mobile device suitable for telerehabilitation participation. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of comorbid cardiovascular and/or pulmonary diseases. * Unstable metabolic conditions. * History of cerebrovascular and/or cardiovascular disease events within the past three months. * Mental disorders that interfere with exercise cooperation. * Balance or fall-related problems. * Orthopedic or neurological conditions that compromise the safety of exercise.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Exercise Capacity

Change in Functional Exercise Capacity (6-Minute Stepper Test); The number of steps completed within six minutes using a stepper device. Higher step counts indicate better functional capacity.

Time frame: Before and after the training (0 and 8th Week)

Exercise Capacity

Predicted maximal oxygen uptake; Calculated from the duration of the maximal stress test (Bruce protocol) using validated formulas for men and women. It represents maximal aerobic capacity in mL/kg/min.