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Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Chronic Cardio-Respiratory Diseases
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Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Chronic Cardio-Respiratory Diseases

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 August 2026 | Viewed by 2358

Editor

Dr. Mara Paneroni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Giuseppe Mazzini 129, 25065 Lumezzane, Italy
Interests: COPD; pulmonology; COVID-19
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to promote the sharing of studies that present innovative non-pharmacological care approaches in the management of chronic cardio-respiratory diseases. In particular, the description of innovative models or techniques that can improve patient outcomes—both from a physiological and psycho-social perspective—is especially relevant.

Therefore, this Special Issue is addressed not only to physicians, but also to all healthcare professionals involved in the prevention and rehabilitation of these conditions. In recent years, alongside pharmacological treatments, non-pharmacological interventions have become critically important for managing chronic cardio-respiratory diseases, representing models that can not only improve clinical outcomes, but also reduce the social and economic burdens of these conditions.

Research focusing on these areas is thus of particular relevance from both scientific and societal perspectives. Studies describing the impact of such interventions in low-resource settings, including potential adaptations for these contexts, are also very welcome.

We are pleased to invite submissions of original research that provides robust evidence on the application, efficacy, and underlying mechanisms of non-pharmacological interventions in the management of cardiac and respiratory diseases. Submissions of comprehensive review articles summarizing the current state of the evidence, as well as validation studies introducing novel findings in this domain, are also strongly encouraged.

We welcome contributions that advance scientific knowledge and inform clinical practice in the non-pharmacological management of chronic cardio-respiratory conditions

This Special Issue aims to include high-quality original research articles and systematic reviews addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:

  • Scoping review, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses evaluating the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in rehabilitation
  • Prospective cohort studies, retrospective analyses, and randomized controlled trials assessing clinical efficacy
  • Medium- and long-term follow-up studies examining clinical and functional outcomes post-intervention
  • Psychometric evaluations focusing on patient-reported outcomes, treatment adherence, and acceptability
  • Cross-sectional studies and implementation research on the cultural and contextual adaptation of interventions in low-resource or diverse healthcare settings

This Special Issue aims to include multidisciplinary studies that stimulate new lines of investigation in the non-pharmacological management of chronic cardio-respiratory diseases, promoting advancements in research within this field, in particular focusing on preventive and rehabilitation approaches.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mara Paneroni
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rehabilitation
  • COPD
  • heart failure
  • occupational therapy
  • physiotherapy
  • speech therapy
  • disability
  • nutrition
  • psychology
  • prevention

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4105 KB  
Article
Six-Month Home-Based Telemedicine Program for Heart Failure and Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Applicability, Usability of Telemonitoring Devices and Apps, and Patient Satisfaction
by Palmira Bernocchi, Gloria Fiorini Aloisi, Marilisa Serlini, Elisa Pasotti, Laura Comini and Simonetta Scalvini
Healthcare 2026, 14(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14010090 - 30 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1190
Abstract
Background: Telemedicine can improve early symptom detection using medical devices and applications. It can also help identify barriers to patient adherence and enhance communication with healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability, usability, and patient satisfaction with telemonitoring devices and apps [...] Read more.
Background: Telemedicine can improve early symptom detection using medical devices and applications. It can also help identify barriers to patient adherence and enhance communication with healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability, usability, and patient satisfaction with telemonitoring devices and apps for individuals with heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Methods: In a randomized study, patients in the Intervention Group received six months of nursing teleassistance and telemonitoring using a wearable electrocardiograph, a step tracker, and an App for recording clinical information and conducting video calls. Usability was measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and satisfaction with a six-item questionnaire. Results: A total of 43 patients (71 ± 8 years) were enrolled in the intervention group. A total of 41 (95%) of patients utilized the App daily, entering 13,048 information, 53 ± 59 per patient. The nurses performed 896 video-calls, 22 ± 21 per patient. The mean number of walking sessions recorded was 6.1 ± 0.9 per week (159 ± 24 per patient). Thirty-five patients (81%) used a 3-lead ECG and recorded 942 traces, 27 ± 14 per patient. At the end, 40 SUS were collected from patients: 15 (38%, 71 ± 7 years) considered the system excellent or good, 20 (50%, 71 ± 8 years) thought it fair, and 5 (13%, 74 ± 7 years) considered the system offered poor. The overall assessment of patient satisfaction with the service was 22 ± 3.3. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that, although technology can be complex for older adults, it is broadly accepted by most patients, especially when the benefits are understood. The support offered by nurses is essential for significantly enhancing the overall patient experience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Chronic Cardio-Respiratory Diseases)
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16 pages, 839 KB  
Article
Association Between Physical Activity and Fitness in Patients with Heart Failure and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Influence of a Telemedicine Program
by Mara Paneroni, Palmira Bernocchi, Beatrice Salvi, Carla Simonelli, Gloria Fiorini Aloisi, Luigina Viscardi, Salvatore D’Isa and Simonetta Scalvini
Healthcare 2025, 13(24), 3250; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13243250 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 645
Abstract
Background. Few studies have evaluated physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) in individuals with heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus and the possibility that some telemedicine programs (TMPs) may impact them. This post hoc subgroup analysis of an RCT study aimed [...] Read more.
Background. Few studies have evaluated physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) in individuals with heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus and the possibility that some telemedicine programs (TMPs) may impact them. This post hoc subgroup analysis of an RCT study aimed to describe PF and PA in this population before and after a TMP. Methods. We evaluated (a) PF as distance, assessed via the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), and PA as daily step count in this population before and after a TMP; (b) their relationship; and (c) the patient characteristics that influence PF and PA. Results. Fifty-eight patients (aged 71.31 ± 7.92 years old, 84% male, BMI 28.01 ± 4.70 Kg/m2, ejection fraction 48.64 ± 10.64%) were enrolled between August 2022 and September 2024. All patients received a six-month TMP (nurse teleassistance, telemonitoring, a dedicated app, and PA evaluation using a tracker bracelet and step count goals). The 6MWT improved (from 418 ± 113 to 439 ± 120 m, p < 0.001), while PA remained unchanged after the TMP (from 7181 ± 4149 to 7229 ± 4947 steps/day, p = 0.92). The PA and PF association ranged from moderate at baseline (rho = 0.4958, p < 0.001) to strong at the end of the study (rho = 0.6807, p < 0.001). The regression model shows that following the TMP, PA(y) was associated with baseline 6MWT [β= 8.5, 95%IC −0.31; 17.24], age (β = −144.0, 95%IC −262.14; −25.90)), baseline daily steps (β = 0.5967, 95%IC 0.37; 0.82), and HDL cholesterol (β = 119.7, 95%IC 39.07; 200.31) (R2= 0.6580, F(4.53) = 25.49, p < 0.001), while PF(y) was associated with BMI (β= −2.04, 95%IC −4.30; 0.22)), age (β= 0.90, 95%IC −4.4; 1.32), and baseline 6MWT (β = 0.90, 95%IC 0.79; 1.00) (R2 = 0.9007, F(3.54) = 163.29, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Our TMP led to a statistically significant but clinically modest improvement in PF but did not impact PA despite there being variability among patients. PA and PF appear to be interdependent. PF, age, HDL cholesterol, and baseline PA were key predictors of PA, while BMI, age, and baseline 6MWT impacted PF at the end of the TMP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Chronic Cardio-Respiratory Diseases)
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