Impact of technology-based patient education on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors of people with coronary heart disease: A systematic review

Objective: To collect evidence on what types of technology and content are most effective in helping people with coronary heart disease (CHD) to change their modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: A literature search was performed to find relevant studies published between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2018 in PubMed, CINAHL, PROQUEST and Scopus databases. Selected outcomes were risk factors (exercise, diet, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body mass index, tobacco use). The quality of the studies was evaluated according to Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers Manual Checklists for risk for bias, TIDieR for quality of interventions, and PRISMA statement for presenting results. Results: Eighteen quantitative (17 RCT´s and one quasi-experimental) studies were included. Patient education delivered through telephone, text messaging, webpages, and smartphone applications resulted in significant changes in some risk factors of people with CHD. Sufficient descriptions of the content and intervention methods were lacking. Conclusion: Patient education delivered with technology can help people with CHD to modify their risk factors. There is a need for better descriptions of the content and delivery of educational interventions in studies. Practice implications: Patient education needs to be delivered with technological solutions that best support the multidimensional needs of CHD patients.