Skip to content

Young Adult Congenital Heart Disease Physical Activity Lifestyle Study (YACHD-PALS)

Physical Activity Lifestyle Intervention for Young Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04135859
Acronym
YACHD-PALS
Enrollment
36
Registered
2019-10-23
Start date
2019-03-14
Completion date
2022-02-09
Last updated
2024-09-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cardiovascular Disease Other, Physical Activity

Keywords

congenital heart disease, physical activity

Brief summary

This study will adapt a physical activity lifestyle intervention to emerging adult congenital heart disease (CHD) survivors with the primary goal of increasing physical activity levels. The study will be split into 2 phases. In Phase 1, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires, wear an accelerometer around the waist for 7 days, and undergo an exercise stress test. The accelerometer and exercise stress test will be used to determine whether participants are eligible to be randomized for the intervention study. In Phase 2, participants will be randomized to one of two conditions: 1) receiving a physical activity tracker (a Fitbit) or 2) receiving a Fitbit AND engaging in videoconferencing sessions with a physical activity coach. During Phase 2, participants will also be asked to complete 3 assessments (weeks 9 and 22, and a 6-month follow-up). The week 9 assessment will consist of completing questionnaires and wearing an accelerometer for 7 days. Week 22 will be similar to week 9 with the addition of a final exercise stress test. The 6-month follow-up will mirror the week 9 assessment. Participants who are randomized to the videoconferencing condition will be asked to meet with a physical activity coach 8 times over the course of 20 weeks. Coaches will help participants to (1) change attitudes toward physical activity, (2) increase perception of others' approval of physical activity (e.g., family members, peers), and (3) increase participants' perceived control by troubleshooting barriers and increasing efficacy for physical activity. Coaches will use the Fitbit to facilitate self-monitoring and goal setting. Participants in the intervention arm will be asked to participate in a focus group at the conclusion of the study to share their experiences.

Interventions

Coaches work with participants on three elements of behaviors change: (1) changing attitudes towards physical activity; (2) increase perceptions of other people's approval of physical activity for the participants; (3) increase perceptions of control over being physically active. These elements will be delivered using a non-judgmental stance accompanied by promoting appropriate goal-setting.

A physical activity monitor (Fitbit) will be provided to both groups.

Sponsors

Jamie Jackson
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Masking description

Investigator, research assistants, coaches (interventionists), and participants do not know which condition a participant is in until the condition is revealed (opening an envelope with the condition listed) after the participant consents to Phase 2. Envelopes with the conditions were prepared by the study statistician.

Intervention model description

Study includes 2 possible conditions to which participants are randomized: (1) Fitbit only and (2) Fitbit + coaching sessions.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Between the ages of 18-25 (if 18, must no longer be in high school and no longer living at home) 2. Are diagnosed with moderate or complex structural congenital heart disease 3. Live within 120 miles of Nationwide Children's Hospital

Exclusion criteria

1. Do no speak or write proficiently in English 2. Have cognitive impairments that would interfere with the completion of study procedures 3. Are diagnosed with a genetic syndrome (e.g., Downs, Marfans) 4. Have been engaged in a formal exercise program within the past 6 months 5. Underwent open-heart surgery or have had a transcatheter valve replacement in the last 3 months 6. Are otherwise prohibited by their cardiologist to engage in at least moderate levels of physical activity 7. Are unable to complete a treadmill-based exercise stress test 8. Are currently pregnant 9. Have contraindications for exercise based on an exercise stress test (e.g., exercise-induced arrhythmias or evidence of cardiac ischemia) 10. \>150 min/weekday of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per the accelerometer 11. Do not have access or a device for videoconferencing with the coach

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)From baseline to follow-up (approximately 22 weeks).Baseline to follow-up change in number of minutes spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity as measured by an accelerometer

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Sedentary BehaviorFrom baseline to follow-up (approximately 22 weeks).Baseline to follow-up change in number of minutes spent being sedentary as measured by an accelerometer.
Exercise ToleranceFrom baseline to follow-up (approximately 22 weeks).Baseline to follow-up change in maximal oxygen utilization during physical activity as measured by VO2peak during an exercise stress test.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Fitbit Only
In the Fitbit Only arm, participants will receive their exercise prescription, as devised from their baseline exercise stress test results, and a Fitbit. They will undergo a 9 week (interim) and a 22 week assessment (follow-up). Physical Activity Monitoring: A physical activity monitor (Fitbit) will be provided to both groups.
18
Fitbit + Coaching Sessions
In the Fitbit + Coaching Sessions arm, participants will receive their exercise prescription, as devised from their baseline exercise stress test results, a Fitbit, and will have 8 sessions with a coach (interventionist) over the course of 20 weeks. They will undergo a 9 week (interim) and a 22 week assessment (follow-up). Physical Activity Lifestyle Intervention: Coaches work with participants on three elements of behaviors change: (1) changing attitudes towards physical activity; (2) increase perceptions of other people's approval of physical activity for the participants; (3) increase perceptions of control over being physically active. These elements will be delivered using a non-judgmental stance accompanied by promoting appropriate goal-setting. Physical Activity Monitoring: A physical activity monitor (Fitbit) will be provided to both groups.
15
Total33

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyDid not complete stress test33
Overall StudyDid not wear accelerometer and did not complete stress test02
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject10
Overall StudyWithdrawal due to screening failure12

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalFitbit OnlyFitbit + Coaching Sessions
Age, Continuous22.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.1
22.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.9
22.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.3
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
32 Participants18 Participants14 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
MVPA8.4 Average min/day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.9
7.5 Average min/day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.8
9.4 Average min/day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
31 Participants16 Participants15 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
33 participants18 participants15 participants
Sedentary Behavior570.2 Average min/day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 107.8
561.2 Average min/day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 100
580.3 Average min/day
STANDARD_DEVIATION 118.7
Sex: Female, Male
Female
19 Participants10 Participants9 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
14 Participants8 Participants6 Participants
VO2Peak30.9 mL/kg/min
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.7
30.3 mL/kg/min
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.1
31.4 mL/kg/min
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.6

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 190 / 17
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 190 / 17
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 190 / 17

Outcome results

Primary

Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)

Baseline to follow-up change in number of minutes spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity as measured by an accelerometer

Time frame: From baseline to follow-up (approximately 22 weeks).

Population: Two participants in the Fitbit + Coaching group had missing MVPA data

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Fitbit OnlyModerate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)-0.7 Average change in minutes per dayStandard Deviation 6.6
Fitbit + Coaching SessionsModerate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)8.8 Average change in minutes per dayStandard Deviation 15.7
p-value: 0.023Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Exercise Tolerance

Baseline to follow-up change in maximal oxygen utilization during physical activity as measured by VO2peak during an exercise stress test.

Time frame: From baseline to follow-up (approximately 22 weeks).

Population: Three participants from the Fitbit Only group and four participants from the Fitbit + Coaching Sessions group had missing data for VO2peak.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Fitbit OnlyExercise Tolerance0.41 Average change in mL/kg/minStandard Deviation 2.33
Fitbit + Coaching SessionsExercise Tolerance-0.32 Average change in mL/kg/minStandard Deviation 1.68
p-value: 0.43Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Sedentary Behavior

Baseline to follow-up change in number of minutes spent being sedentary as measured by an accelerometer.

Time frame: From baseline to follow-up (approximately 22 weeks).

Population: Three participants in the Fitbit + Coaching group had missing data for sedentary behavior

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Fitbit OnlySedentary Behavior13.6 Average change in minutes per dayStandard Deviation 88.7
Fitbit + Coaching SessionsSedentary Behavior-49.8 Average change in minutes per dayStandard Deviation 92.3
p-value: 0.06Mixed Models Analysis

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026