Home-based digital program to boost physical activity for children with the Fontan circulation
Home-Based, Digital Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Patients with the Fontan Circulation
A home-based digital program with wearables and caregiver support aims to help children with the Fontan circulation increase daily physical activity and improve fitness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171818 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would use a digital app and wearable activity tracker at home that encourages regular aerobic activity with caregiver support. Participants will be randomly assigned to the digital intervention or a comparison approach and their daily activity will be tracked by an accelerometer. The team will measure changes in aerobic performance, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle strength over time, and will collect information about family and neighborhood factors that might affect results. Occasional clinic visits are likely for fitness testing and measurements.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with the Fontan circulation (per the listing, approximately ages 0–11) who are medically cleared for physical activity and whose families can use a home digital program and wearable device are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who are medically unstable, have contraindications to exercise, or cannot use the digital tools or wearables are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase daily activity, improve aerobic fitness and muscle strength, and potentially reduce long-term complications for youth with the Fontan circulation.
How similar studies have performed: Hospital-based exercise programs have safely improved aerobic performance in Fontan patients, but home-based digital interventions for this group are relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldmuntz, Elizabeth — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Goldmuntz, Elizabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.