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Impact of telemonitoring on older adults health-related quality of life: the Tele-ERA study

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Abstract

Purpose

Telemonitoring is being increasingly used for chronic disease monitoring. While the primary aim of telemonitoring is to improve chronic disease management and decrease hospitalizations, the potential impact on patient’s health-related quality of life may be an additional benefit.

Methods

Two hundred and five patients aged 60 years and older with multiple medical conditions were enrolled in a one-year randomized controlled trial of daily home telemonitoring. Health-related quality of life was measured with the 12-Item Short-Form at the beginning and at the completion of the study. Per protocol analysis of the 166 patients responding to the follow-up survey was performed.

Results

Among the 166 responders, there were no significant differences at baseline in the physical component summary (PCS) scores (p value = 0.32), nor the mental component summary (MCS) scores (p value = 0.12) between the telemonitored group and the usual care group. There was also no difference in the 12-month PCS scores (p value = 0.39) or MCS scores (p value = 0.10) between groups. There was no difference in the change from baseline to 12-month MCS scores between groups (p value = 0.89); however, there was a significant difference in the baseline to 12-month change of PCS scores between groups, with the telemonitored group having a greater decrease in PCS scores (−4.3 ± 9.3), compared to the usual care group (−1.2 ± 8.5) over the course of the study (p value = 0.03).

Conclusion

Home telemonitoring in older adults with multiple comorbidities does not significantly improve self-perception of mental well-being (as measured by MCS scores) and may worsen self-perception of physical health (as measured by PCS scores).

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Mayo Clinic institutional funds for clinical support, by grant 1 UL1 RRo24150 from the National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and by the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. The Intel Health Guide telemonitors and support were provided by Care Innovations (Intel-GE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA

    Jennifer L. Pecina

  2. Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Gregory J. Hanson & Paul Y. Takahashi

  3. Health Care Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Holly Van Houten

Authors
  1. Jennifer L. Pecina
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  2. Gregory J. Hanson
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  3. Holly Van Houten
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  4. Paul Y. Takahashi
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Correspondence to Jennifer L. Pecina.

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Pecina, J.L., Hanson, G.J., Van Houten, H. et al. Impact of telemonitoring on older adults health-related quality of life: the Tele-ERA study. Qual Life Res 22, 2315–2321 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0361-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0361-5

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