Motivating Physical Activity in HFpEF with Gamification and Social Incentives
MOtivating Physical Activity With BehaVioral Economics in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (MOVE-HF)
This trial will test whether gamified programs with either social support or friendly competition help adults with HFpEF increase their daily physical activity.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 270 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06670001 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with HFpEF will be randomized to one of three arms: control, gamification plus social support, or gamification plus competition. After a 2-week run-in to measure baseline activity, the intervention lasts six months with a subsequent three-month follow-up, and participants are asked to wear an activity tracker daily. The gamified arms use pre-commitment, points, levels, fresh starts, trophies, and automated coaching, plus either a support partner or competitive pairing to encourage adherence. The study measures changes in daily physical activity and sustained engagement, with links to functional outcomes relevant to HFpEF.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) with HFpEF (EF ≥50%) who meet diagnostic criteria (prior HF hospitalization, elevated BNP, H2FPEF ≥5, or elevated PCWP), can ambulate without major assistance, own a smartphone or tablet, read English, and can provide informed consent.
Not a fit: People who cannot ambulate independently, are enrolled in another physical-activity intervention, lack a compatible smartphone/tablet, or cannot read English are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help people with HFpEF be more active, which may improve symptoms and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Gamification and social-incentive strategies have increased activity in other chronic-disease and general-population studies, but their effectiveness specifically in HFpEF remains relatively untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Adults (age ≥ 18 years) who: 1) have a diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection; 2) have an ejection fraction ≥ 50%; 3) meet ONE of the following criteria: any history of hospitalization with a primary diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, BNP \> 75 pg/mL (\> 225 pg/mL in patients with atrial fibrillation), H2FPEF score ≥ 5, OR elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure on right heart catheterization (≥ 15 mm Hg at rest or ≥ 25 mm Hg with exercise); 4) own a smartphone or tablet capable of connecting to the internet; 5) are able to read English; 6) are able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Participants will be excluded if they are currently participating in another interventional physical activity study, have medical conditions prohibiting ambulation without assistance (including use of an assistive device other than a cane) or participation in an exercise program, if a 9-month physical activity program is infeasible or unsafe, upcoming cardiovascular procedures (e.g. stent or surgery) or if the patient is at a high level of physical activity (\>7500 steps per day) or very low level of physical activity (\< 1000 steps/day) at baseline. Patients taking \> 7500 steps/day will be excluded based on data showing that increasing step count beyond 7500 steps/day does not improve outcomes in all-comer populations, and to ensure that we are recruiting a population of patients with symptomatic HF. Patients taking \< 1000 steps/day at baseline will be excluded to ensure that we will not enroll very frail patients with a need for more intensive exercise training or physical therapy. To ensure that we are capturing patients who are limited in their exertional capacity by heart failure, we will also exclude patients with dementia, end-stage renal disease on dialysis, cirrhosis, cardiac surgery or transcatheter valve replacement within the last year, severe aortic stenosis or severe mitral stenosis.
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alexander Fanaroff, MD, MHS — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Samantha Coratti
- Email: samantha.coratti@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Phone: 215-746-4372
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.