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A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Tailored Text Messaging Intervention to Improve Self-Care in Patients With Heart Failure (Text4HF): Protocol for a
Jonathan W Leigh1, Susan J Pressler2, Ben S Gerber3
1Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, 1919 W. Taylor St., 250 AHSB, MC 530, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States, 1 312-996-7337, 1 312-996-8342.
JMIR Research Protocols
|July 24, 2026
Summary
This pilot study explored a text messaging intervention (Text4HF) to improve heart failure (HF) self-care in older adults. Findings will inform future trials on this accessible digital health strategy.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) is a significant public health issue with high hospitalization and mortality rates.
- Suboptimal self-care is common in HF patients, contributing to poor health outcomes.
- SMS text messaging offers a scalable and accessible approach to support HF self-care, especially for older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the design of a pilot randomized controlled trial for the Tailored Text Messaging Intervention to Improve Self-Care in Adults with HF (Text4HF).
- To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Text4HF intervention.
- To gather data for a future, fully powered efficacy trial.
Main Methods:
- A single-site, stage I, parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 30 community-dwelling adults aged 50+ with stage C HF and suboptimal self-care.
- Participants were randomized (1:1) to a 12-week tailored text messaging intervention (Text4HF) plus usual care or usual care alone.
- Feasibility, acceptability, and patient-reported outcomes including HF self-care (SCHFI v7.2), medication adherence, and quality of life were assessed.
Main Results:
- As of September 2024, 26 participants (13 intervention, 13 control) have been enrolled.
- The participant cohort has a mean age of 60 years, with 46% female and 73% identifying as non-Hispanic Black.
- Study completion is anticipated in June 2026, with ongoing data collection.
Conclusions:
- This protocol outlines a crucial step in evaluating a low-cost, scalable text messaging intervention for HF self-care.
- The study will yield essential feasibility and acceptability data.
- Findings will guide the design of a future efficacy trial for the Text4HF intervention.
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