Fitbit use in congestive heart failure to improve patient motivation and outcomes

Intervention: Weekly motivational text messages + Fitbit device use The study period will be for approximately 6 months in total and will require the participants to make two visits into the cardiology department of SCGH, with a total intervention stage of 5 months. The first study visit will involve baseline measurements by 3rd year medical students and registered nurses, and will take approximately an hour to complete. The measurements will include a quality of life questionnaire, an initial heart rate recording, waist circumference, a 6MWT and a blood sample. The blood sample will test key biomarkers such as the TnT and BNP concentrations and will be stored for later testing (this will be explained to the participant). Each participant will be provided with a Fitbit device for the duration of the study. Once baseline measurements are obtained, each participant will be randomised into either an intervention or control group. The intervention period will run for approximately 5 months in duration. Each participant will also have weekly heart rate recordings analysed. Fitbit patients will have the heart rate measured using the Fitbit device, while patients with a pacemaker will have a weekly recording obtained from their pacemaker for analysis. The second study visit will occur 5 months after the first visit. It will also take an hour to complete and will involve a follow up set of measurements. The follow up measurements will include a quality of life questionnaire, heart rate recording, waist circumference, a 6MWT and another blood sample (assessing key biomarkers). Each participant will also continue their normal exercise regime throughout this intervention period as part of their exercise rehabilitation program for congestive heart failure. With the weekly motivational text messages, each participant will receive a similarly structured message which will be as follows: Week 1: Congratulations - you have completed XX steps so far this week. Do you think you could set and reach a higher goal next week? Week 2: Did you know you can increase your activity without a dedicated exercise session today? For example, instead of taking the elevator, you could take the stairs. Week 3: Exercising helps you produce endorphins, which can make you feel more positive. Think of how you can make exercising a regular habit for you. Week 4: You’ve reached XX steps this week – great work! Week 5: You’ve completed XX steps this week. For access to your activity information, go to my.selfehealth.co and click on ‘My Activity’. Week 6: Exercise can come in different forms. If you’re getting bored of running and walking, perhaps try something else like a dance lesson or yoga class instead. Week 7: Exercise can decrease your risk of chronic disease. Most people know that exercise is good for them but find difficult to make it a habit. What is a fun exercise for you? Week 8; We know it can be hard to find time to exercise, but planning ahead when and where you will exercise can help you achieve your goals. Week 9: You’ve completed XX steps this week. Keep up the good work. Did you know you can access your activity information via the self eHealth app at any time? Week 10: You’ve completed XX steps this week. Well done. Including activity in your daily routine helps make it easier to maintain. Week 11: Well done on completing over XX steps this week. How many more steps do you think you could complete before the end of this week? Week 12: Sometimes exercising might feel like a chore. That’s fine; many people have similar feelings but once they start exercising they feel more energised. Due to logistical and time issues with undertaking the measurements for a relatively big number of participants, study visits and the intervention period will be staggered over a 3 month period. This allows for both chief investigators and other staff involved to undertake participant measurements of roughly 10 participants per week, acting conservatively, although this number may vary on a week to week basis.