Virtual coaching and social support to help maintain exercise after cardiac rehab

Supportive Training After Cardiac Rehabilitation Including Virtual Engagement: The STRIVE Study

Not applicable Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT06701188

This program tests whether adding virtual coaching and social support helps people 55 and older keep up physical activity after finishing cardiac rehabilitation.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment286 (estimated)
Ages55 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT06701188 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized trial will enroll 286 adults aged 55 and older who are completing outpatient Phase II cardiac rehabilitation. All participants use the Trainerize mobile app for daily self-monitoring of exercise, blood pressure, and weight plus weekly educational texts and monthly health videos, while the STRIVE+ intervention group also receives individually tailored virtual coaching, goal-setting, and social networking. Primary outcomes include objectively measured steps and sedentary time, with secondary measures of functional fitness, self-reported exercise, depression/loneliness, self-efficacy, and perceived social support. Investigators will also analyze whether changes in psychosocial and social-cognitive factors mediate any effect on activity adherence, with assessments conducted through UCSF follow-up visits.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 55 or older who completed at least one month of Phase II outpatient cardiac rehabilitation with greater than 50% attendance, have a qualifying cardiovascular diagnosis, and read English or Spanish.

Not a fit: Patients participating in Phase III cardiac rehab, those with unstable cardiac conditions, significant cognitive impairment, or without English/Spanish literacy or access to a smartphone may not receive benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help older adults sustain regular exercise after cardiac rehab and reduce their risk of repeat cardiac events.

How similar studies have performed: Prior mHealth and digital-coaching programs have shown promise for increasing physical activity, but randomized long-term evidence specifically after cardiac rehab using objective step measures and social-cognitive mediation is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Study population: We will recruit 286 older adults who are 55 years and older with qualifying diagnoses for cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥ 55 years of age
2. History of CVD that qualified patient for CR (myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, heart failure, valve replacement, etc.)
3. Adherence (\>50% of sessions for ≥1 month) to outpatient Phase II CR and pending completion

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participation in Phase III CR (optional extended CR after outpatient Phase II CR for those who pay out-of-pocket)
2. Cognitive impairment (per Mini-Cog assessment tool with score 0-2)
3. Lack of English or Spanish proficiency/literacy
4. Clinical conditions including:

   1. Unstable arrhythmias, aortic stenosis, thrombophlebitis, dissecting aneurysm or symptomatic anemia
   2. Active infection
   3. Uncontrolled hypertension: resting systolic \>180 mmHg, diastolic \>100 mmHg
   4. Decompensated heart failure, NYHA Class III-IV
   5. Current unstable angina
   6. 2nd or 3rd degree heart block or exercise induced arrhythmias

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Adherence to Physical Activity After Completing Cardiac Rehabilitation in Older AdultsCardiac rehabilitationAdherenceCardiovascular diseasem-HealthPhysical ActivitySocial support
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.