Motivating Physical Activity Using Gamification and Social Incentives in Adults with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

What this Trial Is About

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction HFpEF is a condition marked by exercise intolerance due to breathlessness and fatigue, which is becoming more common. Researchers are evaluating whether combining gamification with social incentives like social support or competition can help increase physical activity in people with HFpEF. This three-arm, randomized, controlled trial aims to improve exercise adherence since no drug treatment has yet consistently improved function in HFpEF, and exercise access is often limited. Participants will first complete a 2-week run-in period to measure baseline physical activity using a wearable device daily. Then, they enter a 6-month intervention where one of three approaches is tested a control group receiving daily step count notifications a gamification plus social support group that receives motivational texts, plays a points-based game, and involves a support partner and a gamification plus competition group that plays the same game but competes with others using a leaderboard. After this, there is a 3-month follow-up period where participants continue wearing the device. Throughout the study, participants will wear the device daily during intervention and follow-up to track steps. Researchers will assess changes in average daily step counts over 9 months as the main outcome. They will also measure quality of life using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and six-minute walk distance at 6 and 9 months. The study includes motivational messaging and engagement strategies while monitoring safety and adherence over the total 9-month period.

MOVE-HF MOtivating Physical Activity With BehaVioral Economics in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction