Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have launched a new clinical trial to study the efficacy of a virtual cardiac rehabilitation program in collaboration with Apple and the American Heart Association.
The Mobile Technology Enabled Corrie Rehabilitation Study( mTech REHAB) will help the researchers investigate if a multi-component virtual cardiac rehabilitation program in addition to usual care will improve cholesterol level, overall cardiovascular health, quality of life, and mental health for patients who have recently been diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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The Corrie app from Johns Hopkins University is available at the Apple app store and is designed to provide heart attack recovery at your fingertips.
Atherosclerosis is the thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Risk factors may include high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, and eating saturated fats.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries and has increased from 27.3% to 31.4% in past decades.
The population suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD) complicated by atrial fibrillation (AF) is rising rapidly. A strong correlation between the two diseases has also been reported.
AF is the most common arrhythmia in the general population, and the incidence of AF has multiplied four to fivefold in the past half-century.
Given that Apple has made significant developments in AF detection using the Apple Watch, the research study will use Apple Watch and Corrie smartphone app along with Bluetooth-enabled OMRON blood pressure monitoring to monitor the study participants.
The program also includes individualized treatment plan development, setting health goals, and communication with a trained Corrie Health Coach. Furthermore, the intervention includes motivational text messages sent to participants throughout the study to aid with risk factor modification.
The Corrie Health app from Johns Hopkins includes the following key features
- My Activities: track progress taking medications and completing other care tasks like engaging in physical activity. Reminders are included to help you stay on track.
- My Vitals: stay in tune with indicators of recovery like heart rate, blood pressure, physical activity, and mood.
- My ABCs: empower you to understand your heart health through engaging state-of-the art videos and easy-to-read summaries addressing life-saving cardiology topics including understanding why heart attacks happen and tips on how to prevent them in the future (ex. medications, diet, exercise, and smoking cessation). Patients, families, and caregivers can easily share in the learning experience by engaging with these videos on their mobile device and via Apple TV in cardiac unit hospital rooms during their stay or at home.
- My Follow-Up: schedule and track follow up appointments with healthcare providers and cardiac rehabilitation.
- My Connect: keep critical health information a click away, including medical cards (e.g., stent cards, insurance cards) and care team contact information.
- Apple Watch with Corrie App: monitors cardiac recovery (steps, heart rate, activity goals) and keeps patients on track with medication reminders and appointments that are critical for successful heart attack recovery.
The new two-year study will recruit 400 participants and is estimated to start by April 2022 and will conclude by April 2024 and will explore issues related to CHD, Myocardial Infarction, Angina Pectoris, Bypass Graft Occlusion, and others.
