Mobile Health Intervention Promoting Physical Activity in Adults Post Cardiac Rehabilitation: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an exercise-based program prescribed after cardiac events associated with improved physical, mental, and social functioning; however, many patients return to a sedentary lifestyle leading deteriorating functional capacity discharge from CR. Physical activity (PA) critical avoid recurrence of mortality maintain capacity. Leveraging mobile health (mHealth) strategies increase adherence PA promising approach. Based on the cognitive theory, we sought determine whether mHealth (Movn app for self-monitoring, supportive push-through messages, wearable tracker) would improve over 2 months. Objective The objectives this pilot randomized controlled trial were examine preliminary effects intervention group differences in depression self-efficacy exercise Methods During final week outpatient CR, 1:1 or usual care. downloaded Movn app, received messages motivation educational related cardiovascular disease (CVD) management 3 times per week, wore Charge (Fitbit Inc) tracker track step counts. Participants care pedometer recorded their daily steps diary. Data 6-minute walk test (6MWT) self-reported questionnaires collected at baseline Results We recruited 60 CR sites community hospital Northern California. mean age was 68.0 (SD 9.3) years, 23% (14/60) female; retention rate 85% (51/60). Our results 51 who completed follow-up showed had statistically significant higher count compared control (8860 vs 6633; P=.02). There no difference between groups 6MWT, depression, exercise. Conclusions This addresses major public initiative potential promote CVD. technology-based provides pragmatic contemporary approach by increasing counts completing Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03446313; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03446313