Cardiac Self-Efficacy Improvement in a Digital Heart Health Program: Secondary Analysis From a Feasibility and...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Lifestyle modification programs are crucial for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management.
• Improving cardiac self-efficacy (CSE) is a key goal, but traditional in-person programs are resource-intensive.
• Digital programs offer a scalable alternative to enhance CSE, yet empirical evidence is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine changes in CSE among individuals using a digital lifestyle modification program.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a digital program in improving confidence for managing cardiovascular health.
• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a digital intervention for heart health.

Main Methods:

• A 90-day pilot study involving 273 participants at elevated risk for CVD.
• Participants utilized a mobile app with AI-powered coaching and educational lessons.
• Cardiac Self-Efficacy (CSE) Scale was administered at baseline and two months.

Main Results:

• A significant 12.9% increase in total CSE Scale scores from baseline to two months (P<.001).
• Significant improvements were observed in all nine individual CSE items (P<.001).
• Largest confidence gains were noted in knowing when to seek medical advice for heart disease, understanding appropriate physical activity levels, and engaging in regular aerobic exercise.

Conclusions:

• Digital lifestyle modification programs can significantly improve cardiac self-efficacy within a short timeframe.
• This study supports the potential of digital interventions for scalable CVD prevention and management.
• Findings highlight the effectiveness of technology-driven approaches in enhancing self-efficacy for cardiovascular health.