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Heart Watch Study: a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Heart Watch Study: a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04468321
Enrollment
105
Registered
2020-07-13
Start date
2021-08-18
Completion date
2024-06-01
Last updated
2025-04-18

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

Conditions

Cardioversion, Atrial Fibrillation

Brief summary

This will be a prospective multi-center, randomized, controlled trial of 150 patients conducted to assess the impact of individual use of the Apple Watch compared to the Withings Move on patient-reported and clinical outcomes at 6 months and up to 1 year.

Detailed description

This is a a randomized, controlled trial to determine the impact of the Apple Watch Series 6 compared to the Withings Move on both patient-reported outcomes and clinical utilization over 6 months and up to 1 year. Our research method will employ a patient-centered health data sharing platform (called Hugo) for real-world surveillance of outcomes in 150 total patients after they receive elective direct current cardioversion (DCCV) or catheter ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Patients will be enrolled at each of 3 clinical sites: Yale-New Haven Hospital, the Mayo Clinic, and Duke Health. Half of the patients will be randomized to receive the Apple Watch Series 6, while half will receive a control device (Withings Move). Patients will then be queried about specific symptoms related to atrial fibrillation and medication adherence monthly. This project will provide novel and needed post-market data about the Apple Watch Series 6 ECG and irregular rhythm detection notification features and, on a larger scale, help delineate the impact of an innovative digital health technology on real-world patient outcomes. Specific Aim 1: To assess the impact of using the Apple Watch ECG and irregular rhythm notification features on patient-reported outcomes and clinical utilization after patients receive cardioversion or catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Specific Aim 2: To determine the accuracy of the Apple Watch ECG compared to physician interpretation of 12-lead ECGs obtained in routine clinical care.

Interventions

Participants will be assigned to the Apple Watch arm to assess the impact of individual use of the Apple Watch on patient-reported and clinical utilization outcomes using Hugo.

DEVICEWithings Move

Participants will be assigned to the Withings Move arm to assess the impact of individual use of the Withings Move on patient-reported and clinical utilization outcomes using Hugo.

Sponsors

Mayo Clinic
CollaboratorOTHER
Duke University
CollaboratorOTHER
National Evaluation System for health Technology Coordinating Center
CollaboratorOTHER
Yale University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
22 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age \>22 * English-speaking * Planned for direct current cardioversion or catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, as noted by referring clinical staff or on chart review * Participant is willing and able to read and sign consent and participate in study * Participant lives independently and does not require continuous care * Participant has an email account (or is willing to create one) * Participant has a compatible smartphone (iPhone 6s or later) * Participant is willing to wear only the device they are randomized to receive for the study period for as many hours during the day as they are able, except for time spent charging the device or in environments that may be suboptimal for the device * Participant is willing to use the Hugo mobile health platform and Apple Watch Series 6 or Withings Move * Participant has cardiology care at YNHH, Duke Health, or Mayo Clinic

Exclusion criteria

* No

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life)baseline and 6 monthsChange in the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) questionnaire global score at 6 months compared to baseline between the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm at 6 months compared to baseline. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Symptoms6 monthsDifference within individual Symptoms domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 6-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome
Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Daily Activities6 monthsDifference within individual Daily Activities domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 6-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome
Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Concern6 monthsDifference within individual Treatment Concern domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 6-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome
Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Satisfaction6 monthsDifference within individual Treatment Satisfaction domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 6-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome
Proportion of Patients Taking Anticoagulants6 monthsAnticoagulation use will be assessed at 6 months using the Brief Medication Questionnaire to trend patients' monthly responses about anticoagulation use
Proportion of Participants With Acute Care Use at 6 Months6 monthsAcute care use will be compared between the two groups at 6 months. Acute care is defined as an emergency department visits, observation stays, and all hospitalizations over the 6 month period.
Change in Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life)baseline and 12 monthsChange in the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) questionnaire global score at 12 months compared to baseline between the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm at 12 months compared to baseline. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome.
Proportion of Participants With Outpatient Care Use at 6 Months6 monthsOutpatient care use will be compared between the two groups at 6 months. Outpatient care is defined as outpatient primary care visits, outpatient cardiology or cardiac electrophysiology visits, and scheduled telephone encounters.
Proportion of Participants With Outpatient Care Use at 12 Months12 monthsOutpatient care use will be compared between the two groups at 12 months. Outpatient care is defined as outpatient primary care visits, outpatient cardiology or cardiac electrophysiology visits, and scheduled telephone encounters.
Proportion of Participants With Rhythm-related Diagnostic Testing at 6 Months6 monthsRhythm-related diagnostic testing will be assessed at 6 month including total ECGs and total outpatient heart rhythm monitors
Proportion of Participants With Rhythm-related Diagnostic Testing at 12 Months12 monthsRhythm-related diagnostic testing will be assessed at 12 month including total ECGs and total outpatient heart rhythm monitors
Proportion of Participants With Clinical Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter6 monthsA composite outcome of rhythm control intervention, which is defined as at least one additional cardioversion, initiation of antiarrhythmic medical therapy, dose escalation of antiarrhythmic medication, change to another antiarrhythmic medication, or ablation for atrial fibrillation over the 6 month period. The medication data will be obtained primarily from electronic health record data.
Proportion of Participants With Acute Care Use at 12 Months12 monthsAcute care use will be compared between the two groups at 12 months. Acute care is defined as an emergency department visits, observation stays, and all hospitalizations over the 12 month period.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Apple Watch
Patients will be provided with the Apple Watch Series 6 with Irregular Rhythm Detection and ECG capabilities. Apple Watch: Participants will be assigned to the Apple Watch arm to assess the impact of individual use of the Apple Watch on patient-reported and clinical utilization outcomes using Hugo.
70
Withings Move
Patients will be provided with the Withings Move with activity tracking. Withings Move: Participants will be assigned to the Withings Move arm to assess the impact of individual use of the Withings Move on patient-reported and clinical utilization outcomes using Hugo.
35
Total105

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicApple WatchWithings MoveTotal
Age, Continuous65.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.22
70.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.55
66.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.24
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaska Native
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
Black or African American
2 Participants3 Participants5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
Black or African American and White
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
White
67 Participants31 Participants98 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
19 Participants10 Participants29 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
51 Participants25 Participants76 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 700 / 35
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 700 / 35
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 700 / 35

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life)

Change in the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) questionnaire global score at 6 months compared to baseline between the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm at 6 months compared to baseline. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome.

Time frame: baseline and 6 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT questionnaire at 6 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchChange in Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life)20.3 score on a scale
Withings MoveChange in Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life)17.9 score on a scale
Secondary

Change in Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life)

Change in the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life (AFEQT) questionnaire global score at 12 months compared to baseline between the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm at 12 months compared to baseline. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome.

Time frame: baseline and 12 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT questionnaire at 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchChange in Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life)23.5 score on a scale
Withings MoveChange in Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life)25.0 score on a scale
Secondary

Proportion of Participants With Acute Care Use at 12 Months

Acute care use will be compared between the two groups at 12 months. Acute care is defined as an emergency department visits, observation stays, and all hospitalizations over the 12 month period.

Time frame: 12 months

Population: The emergency department visits, observation stays, and all hospitalizations data were not collected due to broken connections between the data aggregating platform and the participant's electronic health record. The team did not discover this until after the participant follow-up period concluded.

Secondary

Proportion of Participants With Acute Care Use at 6 Months

Acute care use will be compared between the two groups at 6 months. Acute care is defined as an emergency department visits, observation stays, and all hospitalizations over the 6 month period.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: The emergency department visits, observation stays, and all hospitalizations data were not collected due to broken connections between the data aggregating platform and the participant's electronic health record. The team did not discover this until after the participant follow-up period concluded.

Secondary

Proportion of Participants With Clinical Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter

A composite outcome of rhythm control intervention, which is defined as at least one additional cardioversion, initiation of antiarrhythmic medical therapy, dose escalation of antiarrhythmic medication, change to another antiarrhythmic medication, or ablation for atrial fibrillation over the 12 month period. The medication data will be obtained primarily from electronic health record data.

Time frame: 12 months

Population: The medication data were not collected due to broken connections between the data aggregating platform and the participant's electronic health record. The team did not discover this until after the participant follow-up period concluded.

Secondary

Proportion of Participants With Clinical Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter

A composite outcome of rhythm control intervention, which is defined as at least one additional cardioversion, initiation of antiarrhythmic medical therapy, dose escalation of antiarrhythmic medication, change to another antiarrhythmic medication, or ablation for atrial fibrillation over the 6 month period. The medication data will be obtained primarily from electronic health record data.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: The medication data were not collected due to broken connections between the data aggregating platform and the participant's electronic health record. The team did not discover this until after the participant follow-up period concluded.

Secondary

Proportion of Participants With Outpatient Care Use at 12 Months

Outpatient care use will be compared between the two groups at 12 months. Outpatient care is defined as outpatient primary care visits, outpatient cardiology or cardiac electrophysiology visits, and scheduled telephone encounters.

Time frame: 12 months

Population: The outpatient primary care visits, outpatient cardiology or cardiac electrophysiology visits, and scheduled telephone encounters data were not collected due to broken connections between the data aggregating platform and the participant's electronic health record. The team did not discover this until after the participant follow-up period concluded.

Secondary

Proportion of Participants With Outpatient Care Use at 6 Months

Outpatient care use will be compared between the two groups at 6 months. Outpatient care is defined as outpatient primary care visits, outpatient cardiology or cardiac electrophysiology visits, and scheduled telephone encounters.

Time frame: 6 months

Population: The outpatient primary care visits, outpatient cardiology or cardiac electrophysiology visits, and scheduled telephone encounters data were not collected due to broken connections between the data aggregating platform and the participant's electronic health record. The team did not discover this until after the participant follow-up period concluded.

Secondary

Proportion of Participants With Rhythm-related Diagnostic Testing at 12 Months

Rhythm-related diagnostic testing will be assessed at 12 month including total ECGs and total outpatient heart rhythm monitors

Time frame: 12 months

Population: The total ECGs and total outpatient heart rhythm monitors data were not collected due to broken connections between the data aggregating platform and the participant's electronic health record. The team did not discover this until after the participant follow-up period concluded.

Secondary

Proportion of Participants With Rhythm-related Diagnostic Testing at 6 Months

Rhythm-related diagnostic testing will be assessed at 6 month including total ECGs and total outpatient heart rhythm monitors

Time frame: 6 months

Population: The total ECGs and total outpatient heart rhythm monitors data were not collected due to broken connections between the data aggregating platform and the participant's electronic health record. The team did not discover this until after the participant follow-up period concluded.

Secondary

Proportion of Patients Taking Anticoagulants

Anticoagulation use will be assessed at 6 months using the Brief Medication Questionnaire to trend patients' monthly responses about anticoagulation use

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Responses were received for n=84 participants. Data were missing for n=21 participants.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Apple WatchProportion of Patients Taking Anticoagulants98.3 percentage of patients
Withings MoveProportion of Patients Taking Anticoagulants91.6 percentage of patients
Secondary

Proportion of Patients Taking Anticoagulants

Anticoagulation use will be assessed at 12 months using the Brief Medication Questionnaire to trend patients' monthly responses about anticoagulation use

Time frame: 12 months

Population: Responses were received for n=55 participants. Data were missing for n=50 participants.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Apple WatchProportion of Patients Taking Anticoagulants90.6 percentage of patients
Withings MoveProportion of Patients Taking Anticoagulants91.6 percentage of patients
Secondary

Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Daily Activities

Difference within individual Daily Activities domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 6-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT Questionnaire at 6 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Daily Activities22.1 score on a scale
Withings MoveQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Daily Activities20.5 score on a scale
Secondary

Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Daily Activities

Difference within individual Daily Activities domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 12-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome

Time frame: 12 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT questionnaire at 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Daily Activities27.2 score on a scale
Withings MoveQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Daily Activities27.2 score on a scale
Secondary

Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Symptoms

Difference within individual Symptom domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 12-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome

Time frame: 12 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT questionnaire at 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Symptoms23.7 score on a scale
Withings MoveQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Symptoms25.3 score on a scale
Secondary

Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Symptoms

Difference within individual Symptoms domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 6-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT Questionnaire at 6 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Symptoms21.8 score on a scale
Withings MoveQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Symptoms13.1 score on a scale
Secondary

Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Concern

Difference within individual Treatment Concern domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 12-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome

Time frame: 12 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT questionnaire at 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Concern17.6 score on a scale
Withings MoveQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Concern21.9 score on a scale
Secondary

Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Concern

Difference within individual Treatment Concern domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 6-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT Questionnaire at 6 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Concern17.1 score on a scale
Withings MoveQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Concern21.0 score on a scale
Secondary

Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Satisfaction

Difference within individual Treatment Satisfaction domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 12-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome

Time frame: 12 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT questionnaire at 12 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Satisfaction25.5 score on a scale
Withings MoveQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Satisfaction25.0 score on a scale
Secondary

Quality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Satisfaction

Difference within individual Treatment Satisfaction domain of the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life questionnaire between patients randomized to the Apple Watch and patients randomized to the Withings Move arm over the 6-month period. Reported on a scale from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating a better outcome

Time frame: 6 months

Population: Number of patients that completed the AFEQT Questionnaire at 6 months

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Apple WatchQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Satisfaction19.3 score on a scale
Withings MoveQuality-of-life (Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life) Domain- Treatment Satisfaction11.1 score on a scale

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 13, 2026