What is BE-FIT studying for exercise anxiety in cardiac rehabilitation?

BE-FIT is being studied as a behavioral approach to reduce exercise anxiety and improve exercise participation in cardiac rehabilitation patients. Researchers want to see if this tailored intervention helps patients overcome fears related to exercise and increases their physical activity. Rutgers University is leading this clinical trial to better support patients in cardiac rehab.

Who may be eligible for this exercise anxiety clinical trial?

Adults aged 40 years and older who have elevated exercise anxiety and are enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program may be eligible. Participants should be low active with less than 90 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day and able to understand English. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this exercise anxiety clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the intervention sessions, Fitbit device, and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses to attend appointments may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly for any travel-related costs.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 40Years +

All Genders

ID05398276

A Behavioral Program to Reduce Exercise Anxiety and Improve Exercise in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients Aged 40 and Older

Led by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · Updated on 2026-06-12

146

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate a behavioral intervention called Behavioral Exposure for Interoceptive Tolerance BE-FIT designed to reduce exercise anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The study is a Stage II randomized-controlled trial involving individuals aged 40 and older who have elevated exercise anxiety and are enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program. The goal is to determine whether BE-FIT improves exercise adherence and to understand the mechanisms behind any changes in physical activity behavior. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the BE-FIT intervention group or a health education control HEC group. BE-FIT includes six 45-minute individual sessions over three weeks, focusing on exposure to feared bodily sensations and exercise, preventing safety behaviors around exercise, and using a wrist-worn activity monitor Fitbit for feedback and goal setting. The HEC group receives time-matched educational sessions on healthy aging topics and also uses the Fitbit for monitoring physical activity but without set activity goals. Over 24 weeks, participants will engage in six sessions delivered twice weekly alongside their cardiac rehabilitation program. Data collection includes five assessments at baseline, end of treatment, and follow-ups at weeks 12, 18, and 24. Researchers will measure overall exercise minutes, attendance at cardiac rehabilitation, and daily steps. The study involves monitoring through questionnaires, Fitbit data, and clinical supervision to assess changes in exercise anxiety and adherence.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Behavioral Exposure for Introceptive Tolerance RCT

Who Can Participate

Age: 40Years +

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Age 40 years or older
Elevated exercise anxiety with a score of 30 or higher on the Exercise Sensitivity Questionnaire (ESQ-18)
Low physical activity level with less than 90 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity per day in the past three months
Medically approved to participate in cardiac rehabilitation
Able to understand and communicate in English

You will not qualify if you...

Cognitive impairment indicated by a score of 23 or lower on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Severe disabling chronic medical or psychiatric conditions that prevent safe or adequate participation
Expected to have a life expectancy shorter than the study duration

Research Team

Samantha G Farris, PhD

Isabelle C Barb, BA

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