University of Illinois Chicago
The purpose of the BRIDGE study is to learn whether supplementing traditional center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR) with a mobile health technology intervention can help patients monitor their health, stay engaged in healthy lifestyle behaviors, better manage cardiovascular risk factors, and improve overall health outcomes. Cardiac rehabilitation is an evidence-based outpatient program designed to help people recover from heart-related conditions through supervised exercise, education, counseling, and support for healthy lifestyle changes. Although cardiac rehabilitation is highly recommended and beneficial, many patients do not receive the full benefits of the program. Some patients attend fewer sessions than recommended, and many find it difficult to maintain healthy habits outside of the clinic, such as regular physical activity, heart-healthy eating, taking medications as prescribed, monitoring blood pressure, and managing weight. This study will test whether combining CBCR with mobile health tools may improve participation and support healthy behaviors at home. Mobile health tools include mobile phone applications, connected devices such as a weight scale, blood pressure monitor, and activity tracker, as well as personalized text messages designed to encourage and support healthy self-care. This study will help determine whether these mobile health tools can make cardiac rehabilitation more effective and help patients maintain healthy behaviors beyond the clinic setting.
Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based secondary prevention program for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).The core components of comprehensive CR are well-established and include patient assessment, exercise training, physical activity (PA) promotion, health education, nutritional counseling, psychological support, and CVD risk management. Phase II CR programs generally offer three sessions per week in an outpatient center - known as center-based CR (CBCR) - and supplemental healthy lifestyle behaviors are encouraged in patients' daily living environments. Despite s…
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults aged 18 years or older. 2. Enrolled in or referred to Phase II Center-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. 3. Have a qualifying cardiovascular diagnosis or event that meets standard eligibility for Phase II Center-based Cardiac Rehabilitation, such as: * Acute myocardial infarction * Percutaneous coronary intervention * Coronary artery bypass graft surgery * Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction * Heart valve repair or replacement * Stable angina 4. Able to ambulate and participate in exercise testing and training as required by…
The CBCR program at UI Health is a structured, medically supervised secondary prevention program for patients with qualifying cardiovascular conditions. It includes individualized aerobic and resistance exercise training, clinical monitoring during exercise sessions, education on heart disease and risk factor management, counseling to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, and support for long-term adherence to prescribed treatment and self-care recommendations. Participants are encouraged to attend up to 36 supervised sessions over \~12 weeks.
Description: The intervention includes three commercially available mHealth apps and devices: Withings Body Composition weight scale, Withings BP monitor, and Fitbit Charge 6 activity tracker along with their companion mobile apps. Each app incorporates behavior change tools that support daily self-monitoring, feedback, and reminders across key cardiac rehabilitation domains, including physical activity, weight and blood pressure management, and cardiovascular risk factor reduction. Participants will also receive up to five individually tailored text messages per week throughout the intervention period. Messages will be individualized based on (1) patient responses to validated questionnaires administered at baseline and (2) patient-generated health data from the app/devices. Messages will target physical activity, healthy eating, weight management, blood pressure control, and cardiovascular risk reduction.