200 Participants Needed

Digital Game for Heart Failure

(SCDG Trial)

AR
KR
Overseen ByKavita Radhakrishnan, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study evaluates a sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) to motivate self-management behaviors of weight monitoring and physical activity in adults with heart failure (HF). Half of the participants will receive the SCDG app and weight monitoring and physical activity sensors and the other half will receive only the weight monitoring and physical activity sensors.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) for heart failure?

Research shows that sensor-controlled digital games (SCDGs) can motivate people with heart failure to engage in important self-care activities like physical activity and weight monitoring by providing rewards and feedback based on their real-time behaviors. This approach has been found interesting, enjoyable, and helpful by older adults, suggesting it could improve self-management and potentially reduce hospitalizations.12345

Is the digital game for heart failure safe for humans?

The studies on the digital game for heart failure focus on its usability and acceptability among older adults, but they do not report any safety concerns, suggesting it is generally safe for human use.12346

How is the Sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) treatment for heart failure different from other treatments?

The Sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) for heart failure is unique because it uses behavior-tracking sensors to provide real-time feedback and rewards in a digital game, motivating patients to engage in self-management activities like physical activity and weight monitoring, which is different from traditional medication or therapy approaches.12346

Research Team

KR

Kavita Radhakrishnan, PhD

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Austin

Eligibility Criteria

Adults over 45 with heart failure that allows for minimal physical activity, who have been hospitalized for it in the past year. They must speak English, pass a cognitive test, and be able to walk without support. Those with severe visual/tactile impairments, renal failure, terminal illnesses or who've had certain heart procedures are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I can walk on my own without needing a cane or walker.
I am 45 years old or older.
I was hospitalized for heart failure in the last year.
See 3 more

Exclusion Criteria

Your vision or ability to touch things is severely impaired, making it difficult for you to use a smartphone or sensor devices.
I have had kidney failure that worsens my heart failure prognosis.
I have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
See 1 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) app and sensors for weight monitoring and physical activity for heart failure self-management

24 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG)
  • Sensor Only
Trial OverviewThe trial is testing if a sensor-controlled digital game can improve self-management in heart failure patients by encouraging weight monitoring and exercise. Participants are randomly divided into two groups: one uses the game with sensors; the other uses only sensors.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
The intervention group will receive a sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) app and weight monitoring and physical activity sensors
Group II: Sensors-onlyActive Control1 Intervention
The control group will receive only the weight monitoring and physical activity sensors

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials
387
Recruited
86,100+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials
3,987
Recruited
47,860,000+

Findings from Research

A prototype of a sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) was tested by 10 older adults with heart failure, who played it for an average of 6 out of 7 days, indicating good usability and engagement.
Participants reported that the SCDG was interesting and easy to use, with an average step count of 4,117 steps per week, suggesting it may effectively motivate physical activity and improve self-management of heart failure.
Usability Testing of a Sensor-Controlled Digital Game to Engage Older Adults with Heart Failure in Physical Activity and Weight Monitoring.Radhakrishnan, K., Julien, C., O'Hair, M., et al.[2021]
The study involved 38 older adults with heart failure, comparing a sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) intervention to a sensors-only approach over 12 weeks, showing that the SCDG was feasible and well-accepted for encouraging daily weight monitoring and physical activity.
Participants using the SCDG demonstrated a strong correlation between app engagement and adherence to weight monitoring and physical activity, suggesting that gamification can effectively motivate health behaviors in older adults with heart failure.
Feasibility of a Sensor-Controlled Digital Game for Heart Failure Self-management: Randomized Controlled Trial.Radhakrishnan, K., Julien, C., Baranowski, T., et al.[2022]
An interactive digital e-health game (IDEG) was developed to improve self-management in older patients with heart failure, which is crucial since effective self-management can reduce hospitalizations by up to 50%.
Usability testing showed that 5 out of 6 participants found the game interesting, enjoyable, and helpful, indicating that such digital tools can be both feasible and acceptable for older adults with heart failure.
Perceptions of Older Adults with Heart Failure on Playing an Interactive Digital e-Health Game (IDEG) for Learning About Heart Failure (HF): Prototype Development and Usability Testing.Radhakrishnan, K., Toprac, P., O'Hair, M., et al.[2018]

References

Usability Testing of a Sensor-Controlled Digital Game to Engage Older Adults with Heart Failure in Physical Activity and Weight Monitoring. [2021]
Feasibility of a Sensor-Controlled Digital Game for Heart Failure Self-management: Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]
Perceptions of Older Adults with Heart Failure on Playing an Interactive Digital e-Health Game (IDEG) for Learning About Heart Failure (HF): Prototype Development and Usability Testing. [2018]
Interactive Digital e-Health Game for Heart Failure Self-Management: A Feasibility Study. [2018]
A Sensor-Controlled Digital Game for Heart Failure Self-Care Based on Behavioral Change Frameworks. [2023]
Personalizing Sensor-Controlled Digital Gaming to Self-Management Needs of Older Adults with Heart Failure: A Qualitative Study. [2021]