Actively Recruiting
A Novel Digital Tool Physicians Can Use to Prescribe Exercise to Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Led by University of Connecticut · Updated on 2026-04-15
72
Participants Needed
3
Research Sites
8 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Connecticut
Lead Sponsor
H
Hartford HealthCare
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The investigators will conduct a feasibility and pilot efficacy randomized controlled trial to test the usability and user satisfaction of an evidence-based digital health tool the investigators developed for physicians to use to Prioritize Personalize Prescribe EXercise (P3-EX) to patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The investigators will recruit 24 physicians from two local hospitals in CT, USA. Physicians will recruit two patients each (N=48) having CVD risk factors. Physicians will deliver a P3-EX exercise prescription (ExRx) to one of their patients (n=24) and the American College of Sports Medicine Physical Activity Vital Sign (ACSM-PAVS) ExRx to the other (n=24) in a random sequence crossover design. Physicians and patients will rate the feasibility and acceptability of each method using validated questionnaires. Patients will perform their prescribed ExRx for 12 weeks and complete a self-report exercise diary to monitor exercise adherence with virtual oversight from University of Connecticut (UConn) Graduate Research Assistants. Before and after the exercise intervention, the investigators will measure patient CVD risk factors and physical activity (PA) levels via accelerometry. The primary aim is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of P3-EX for physicians to use to prescribe exercise to patients with CVD risk factors, and the secondary aim is to explore the preliminary efficacy of P3-EX to improve patient CVD risk factors, PA levels, and exercise adherence. The investigators hypothesize P3-EX will be feasible for physicians to use to prescribe customized exercise routines for patients with CVD risk factors, and physicians and patients will be satisfied with P3-EX.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
A Novel Digital Tool Physicians Can Use to Prescribe Exercise to Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Practicing medical doctors employed at the study recruitment sites
- Physicians do not currently recommend written exercise programs or refer patients to exercise clinics or professionals
- Physicians willing to recruit two patients to receive P3-EX and ACSM PAVS exercise prescriptions
- Patients aged 18 to 64 years
- Patients sedentary, not performing planned moderate exercise 30 minutes or more on at least 3 days per week in the last 3 months
- Patients with at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor: obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes (including prediabetes)
- Obesity defined as BMI 30 kg/m2 or waist circumference >102 cm (40 in) for men and >88 cm (35 in) for women
- Hypertension defined as systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg, or on antihypertensive medication
- Dyslipidemia defined as LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL, or HDL-C <40 mg/dL in men and <50 mg/dL in women, or non-HDL-C ≥160 mg/dL, or on lipid-lowering medication, or total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL
- Diabetes or prediabetes defined as fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥5.7%, or on diabetes medication
- Patients must be healthy without signs or symptoms of cardiovascular, renal, or other diseases that limit physical activity
- Not pregnant or lactating
- Non-smokers or quit smoking at least 6 months ago
- Consume fewer than 2 alcoholic drinks daily
- Able to use a computer or phone with internet access
- Fluent in English
- Willing to maintain current medication and diet routines and not follow other exercise or nutrition programs
You will not qualify if you...
- Experiencing chest, neck, jaw, or arm pain or discomfort; dizziness or fainting; shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion
- Unusual fatigue or shortness of breath with usual activities
- Orthopnea or ankle swelling
- Intermittent claudication
- Palpitations or known heart murmur
- History of stroke or cancer, or currently have cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Musculoskeletal injury or chronic back pain
- Depression or dementia
- Other diseases or health conditions that significantly limit physical activity engagement
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 3 locations
1
UConn Health
Farmington, Connecticut, United States, 06030
Not Yet Recruiting
2
Hartford HealthCare
Hartford, Connecticut, United States, 06102
Actively Recruiting
3
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut, United States, 06269
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Alexander J Wright, MS
CONTACT
L
Linda S Pescatello, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
2
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