Effect of an Avatar App on Knowledge and Behaviour after Heart Attack

The Avatar Cardiac Recovery App was co-designed and tested in a feasibility study of 22 participants by a group led by Dr Ling Zhang at the University of Sydney. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2022.06.017 Prior to discharge from hospital, a researcher will approach participants on the ward and provide a link and password for them to download the app to their personal smart phone or tablet. This app contains six modules that provide self-delivered education based on the Australian Heart Foundation's Six Steps to Cardiac Recovery: 1. Explain diagnosis / procedure 2. Highlight risk factors relevant to the patient. Smoking, physical activity, nutrition, weight, alcohol, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and emotional health are discussed. 3. Emphasise importance of cardiac rehabilitation and ensure the patient understands activity and exercise guidelines 4. Promote medication adherence 5. Education on warning signs of a heart attack and managing heart attack symptoms 6. Encourage follow up with a doctor. The modules contain videos, animations, games and education from an avatar that mimics a real person's voice, facial expressions and gestures. It is anticipated these features may be more suitable and engaging than written information, especially for people with poor literacy skills. Participants will be encouraged to independently complete all six modules over the three-month study period. Participants will be encouraged to repeat modules that directly relate to their goals or individual risk factors. Each module concludes with questions about users' understanding of the content. Approximately 40 minutes is required to complete all the modules but participants can work through them at their own pace. Intervention fidelity will be assessed from analytical data built into the app's software including time spent in the app and number of modules completed.