Abstract

Cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve repair or replacement, significantly improves survival and symptoms in patients with advanced cardiovascular disease. However, optimal recovery requires structured cardiac rehabilitation, traditionally delivered through center-based programs. Despite their proven efficacy, these programs face low participation rates due to logistical barriers, travel difficulties, and limited availability, especially in rural or underserved areas. As healthcare systems increasingly adopt digital solutions, tele-rehabilitation has emerged as a promising alternative to in-person rehabilitation. Tele-rehabilitation utilizes remote communication technologies to deliver exercise guidance, patient education, and monitoring, thereby overcoming many accessibility challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tele-rehabilitation in improving functional outcomes, quality of life, and adherence among post-cardiac surgery patients, compared to conventional center-based cardiac rehabilitation.