Flex RCT
The aim of this Randomised Controlled Trial is to test the impact of Vire app and a 6 month Flex programme to decrease sitting time and increase physical activity in cardiac rehabilitation participants to reduce the risk of repeat cardiac events.
Objective
A multi-centre randomised controlled trial will be conducted over a total of 24-months within the Canberra area, recruiting 144 participants. Participants will be assessed on admission to cardiac rehabilitation, and at 6 and at 12 months post intervention for re-admission to hospital. Results will inform future research in this area, potentially leading to a decrease in hospital admissions and morbidity in those with heart disease. If successful, Flex will be promoted as an adjunct to traditional cardiac rehabilitation and in other clinical rehabilitation programs.
Intervention
This project introduces a 6 month localised Flex programme, presented to the user on a new iteration of the Vire smartphone application.
Managing your health requires you to make some lifestyle changes. But this is not always easy. We all tend to stick to our habits and routines. We find it hard to change the way we have been doing things for years.
Vire app supports you in taking responsibility for your health and in making the lifestyle changes you desire.
The bubbles on the home screen represent your score: the bigger, the better. You can also see your scores over the past 14 days.
Vire sends you Do's: small positive actions designed to disrupt some of your old habits. You receive up to 3 Do's per week for the duration of a program, depending on your personal needs.
Do's, or micro-behaviours, encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try new behaviours. By learning new behaviours – we call it becoming more behaviourally flexible – you have more choice over how you react to different situations.
Vire gives you insight into your existing habits in three key areas:
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Variety: becoming flexible is necessary if you want to change habits, create diversity in daily life and be explorative
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Activity: physical activity is important for your health, so be active and reduce the amount of time you sit still
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Social Opportunity: socialising is important for your wellbeing, get out to meet new people and to strengthen existing relationships
Study design
The randomised controlled trial (RCT) will recruit participants from the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs at the Canberra hospital, Calvary and National Capital Private Hospitals. Randomisation will be computerised and participants will be allocated on a 1:1 ratio to cardiac rehabilitation plus the behavioural smartphone app or cardiac rehabilitation (usual care). Outcome assessors will be blinded to group assignment throughout the study. Participants will be assessed on admission to the traditional phase II hospital-based CR program. Randomised group status will be revealed to participants and clinical staff only after completion of baseline measures. Participants’ will complete follow-up assessments at 6 (end of Flex programme) and 12-months from beginning the CR program.
Partners
For this research project Onmi partners with University of Canberra, Canberra Hospital, Calvary Hospital, and National Capital Private Hospital. The study is funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).