LQM – App

Congenital heart disease occurs in approximately 1% of all newborns. As a result of better treatment options, more than 90% of those affected are currently surviving. The growing group of those affected in Germany comprises about 300,000 people. They have a greatly increased risk of developmental and behavioral disorders and limitations on their health-related quality of life. This results in a special need for rehabilitation, which remains undetected or is recognized too late as part of the usual care.
Therefore, this research project aims to investigate the effectiveness of an e-health method for improving the early detection of rehabilitation needs. As part of the project, a screening and monitoring program using computer-aided questionnaires will be established in several specialized pediatric cardiology clinics to collect information on the limitations of health-related quality of life, behavioral or developmental problems, based on information provided by those affected or their parents. Positive screening findings should be used by the treating pediatrician or general practitioner to further clarify and initiate customized funding and rehabilitation measures.
The project will be carried out using a randomized-controlled, two-arm, parallel-group study plan to achieve the best possible evidence-based approach to the study's key issue and to evaluate the need for early detection of rehabilitation needs in pediatric patients with heart disease. Secondary outcome measures are the health-related quality of life, behavioral problems as well as parents' anxiety and depression, the practicability and the cost-benefit balance.