JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Heart failure is a chronic disease affecting both patients’ morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines for heart failure patients’ treatment are focused on improving their clinical status, functional capacity and quality of life. However, these guidelines implement numerous instructions including medical treatment adherence, physical activity and self-care management. The complexity of the therapeutic instructions makes them difficult to be followed especially by older adults.

Objective:

The challenge of the current project is to measure real life adherence to a regular physical exercise program, and to attempt to influence the older adult patients with heart failure towards embracing a more physically active and self-care lifestyle.

Methods:

This is a 3-phase prospective study recruiting elderly patients with stable heart failure. All patients undergo evaluation of their physical activity and cognitive status using standard care methods (six minute walk test, questionnaires) and receive wearable devices to accurately measure the everyday life activity levels. On a second phase, exergames (serious games for physical exercise) to provide a physical exercise plan as a joyful activity are delivered and e-coaching techniques are implemented on the final phase of the protocol, to influence the patients attitude towards a more healthy and recommended lifestyle

Results:

The trial is still ongoing. The recruitment is ongoing and the project progressed for some participants through Phase 2. In total, 10 patients have been included in the study, and both baseline clinical and patient- reported outcome data are retrieved. Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the pilot study are expected to be completed in a 6 months period.

Conclusions:

The main challenge of the project is the change of attitude of older age heart failure patients through an e-coaching system. Given the adoption of co-creation and living lab approach and the main objective for real life evaluation, the project is ready to react to any collected feedback, even during the implementation of the plan. The clinical assessment and the objective evaluation are expected to provide all the required information for reliable findings.