Internet-based behavioral change and psychosocial care for patients with cardiovascular disease: a review of cardiac disease-specific applications

BACKGROUND: Web-based interventions (WBIs) seem to be an efficacious method of addressing behavioral and psychosocial maladjustment among patients with chronic illness (eg, diabetes), behavioral concerns (eg, smoking cessation), and psychologic maladjustment (eg, panic disorder). Cardiology seems particularly well suited to the application of WBIs given its strong association with behavioral (eg, lifestyle) and cognitive (eg, stress and coping) factors. To date, few studies have been published that explore the use of WBIs on psychosocial and quality of life variables among populations with cardiac disease. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to review the use of WBIs in patients with cardiovascular disease to date, and to provide recommendations as to how future WBIs can be developed specifically to meet the needs of different populations with heart disease (eg, recipients of implantable cardioverter defibrillators, patients with congestive heart failure, and patients with congenital heart disease). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, although limitations exist, WBIs are a reasonable modus of improving patient outcomes.