Motivating Physical Activity in HFpEF with Gamification and Social Incentives

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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  This study tests whether finerenone can help people with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction who are undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

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• Tiny ultrasound bubbles as an alternative to catheters for measuring pressures inside the heart

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• Tailored exercise training for adults with HFpEF

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  Recruiting Phase 2/3 University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, Texas · NCT07223242

• US benchmarking of heart and liver stiffness using shear wave ultrasound

  This project will test whether a new ultrasound device can measure heart and liver stiffness using shear wave velocity in people aged 60 or older with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction and left ventricular hypertrophy, with or without transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, and in control subjects.

  Recruiting at 3 sites eMyosound SAS · Boston, Massachusetts and 2 other locations · NCT07215715

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.