How digital health tools shape emotional support experiences in cardiovascular care: a systematic review and thematic synthesis
Abstract
Background: Digital health tools are increasingly integrated into cardiovascular care, yet their value is commonly assessed through clinical outcomes, adherence, and usability. Less is known about how patients experience these tools as sources of emotional support, or how digitally mediated care can instead create emotional burden. In this review, emotional support refers to patients' experiences of feeling reassured, understood, encouraged, validated, and relationally connected while managing cardiovascular illness.
Objective: To synthesize qualitative evidence on how digital health tools shape emotional support experiences among patients with cardiovascular disease or closely related cardiovascular conditions, and to identify the mechanisms and contextual factors that determine whether technology is experienced as supportive or burdensome.
Methods: This systematic review and qualitative synthesis was designed in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 and ENTREQ guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched from inception to December 2025. Studies reporting qualitative patient data on mobile applications, remote monitoring, telerehabilitation, conversational artificial intelligence, virtual reality, or related digital tools in cardiovascular care were included. Methodological quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Findings were integrated through thematic synthesis, and confidence in the…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, 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: 401 participants or records.
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