Digital Health Technology for Improving Physical Function in Adults With Chronic Heart Failure: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) significantly impairs physical function and quality of life. Although exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation represents a primary therapeutic strategy, participation rates remain low due to logistical barriers. Digital health technologies (DHTs) offer a promising alternative to deliver home-based interventions. However, evidence regarding their specific impact on functional capacity versus daily physical behavior remains inconsistent.
Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DHTs on physical activity and health outcomes in patients with CHF and to identify the intervention characteristics that drive physiological improvement.
Methods: We searched Embase, CENTRAL, PubMed, Web of Science, and Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Practice (JBI EBP) database for randomized controlled trials published between August 2015 and July 2025. Studies comparing DHT interventions with usual care or nondigital active controls in adults with CHF were included. Primary outcomes were functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance), cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake), and daily step count. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire). Data were synthesized using random-effects models, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment,…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 3,441 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Comparative effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists on glycaemic control, body weight, and lipid profile for type 2 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis
- Adverse effects of cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors on renal and arrhythmia events: meta-analysis of randomized trials
- Benefits and harms of drug treatment for type 2 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Comparative effectiveness and safety of statins as a class and of specific statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review, meta‐analysis, and network meta‐analysis of randomized trials with 94,283 participants
- Screen time increases overweight and obesity risk among adolescents: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis
- Exposure to WHO AWaRe antibiotics and isolation of multi-drug resistant bacteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.