The Impact of Telemedicine on the Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Diseases: A Review

Telemedicine and teletherapy have emerged as innovative tools for managing chronic diseases that require long-term management. These conditions include chronic pain, heart failure, COPD, diabetes, and osteoarthritis, which necessitate continuous monitoring, self-management, and rehabilitation. The aim of this review is to examine the impacts of telemedicine on the quality of life in patients with chronic diseases. This study is a systematic review of articles related to the impacts of telemedicine on the quality of life in patients with chronic diseases. Articles were sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and comparative studies that examined the effects of telemedicine and teletherapy on patients with chronic pain, heart failure, COPD, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. Extracted data included pain intensity, quality of life, functional disability, hospitalization rates, and mortality. Results show that mHealth systems can improve pain intensity, quality of life, and functional disability in patients with chronic pain. Remote care teams have been able to improve the quality of life in patients with COPD, heart failure (HF), and interstitial lung diseases (ILD) compared to usual care. Teletherapy and unsupervised home exercises have shown significant improvements in health status and reduced hospitalization rates in patients with COPD. Telemonitoring has increased patients' sense of security and knowledge, contributing to better health-related quality of life. The MedSentry medication monitoring system has demonstrated a reduction in hospitalization risk and decreased hospitalization days in elderly patients with heart failure. Telemedicine has also reduced hospitalization rates and mortality in heart failure patients. Integrated care services supported by information and communication technologies (ICS-ICT) have been successful in managing COPD, improving exercise capacity, and managing the disease. Health education through telemedicine has shown results equivalent to or even better than usual care, helping patients better manage their chronic diseases. Telemedicine has positive impacts on the quality of life in patients with chronic diseases, improving access to healthcare services, reducing hospitalization rates, increasing exercise capacity and self-management, and overall enhancing the quality of life. Further research is needed to refine and evaluate these methods and overcome implementation challenges. Telemedicine and teletherapy programs should be designed and implemented considering the specific needs of patients and local conditions to achieve the best outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Telemedicine ، telehealth ، teletherapy ، quality of life ، chronic diseases ، pain management ، medication monitoring ، self-management ، mHealth systems ، COPD ، heart failure ، diabetes ، osteoarthritis