Lasting Empowerment After Discontinuing a Heart Failure Telemonitoring Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Digital Health
• Health Outcomes Research

Background:

• Chronic heart failure (HF) management requires continuous patient engagement.
• Mobile health (mHealth) applications offer potential for remote patient monitoring and support.
• Long-term effects of mHealth interventions after discontinuation are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the sustained impact of the ControlVit mobile application on clinical outcomes and patient empowerment in chronic HF patients.
• To assess the effects 6 months after the app's discontinuation.

Main Methods:

• Open-label, randomized controlled trial involving 140 chronic HF patients.
• Intervention group received standard HF care plus ControlVit app for 6 months; control group received standard care.
• Follow-up for 6 months after app discontinuation, totaling 12 months.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in the composite outcome of death or HF readmission between groups (11.4% vs 4.3%, P=.122).
• Significantly higher patient empowerment scores in the intervention group (P=.012).
• Increased use of SGLT2 inhibitors and ARNi in both groups during follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The ControlVit app did not reduce mortality or HF readmissions post-discontinuation.
• The intervention demonstrated sustained improvements in patient empowerment, indicating a lasting behavioral impact.
• Mobile telemonitoring may enhance patient self-management and empowerment in chronic HF care.