Effect of Using a Smartphone Application to Promote Adherence to Healthy Behaviour Post-cardiac Rehabilitation: Five Year Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Recently, our research group demonstrated that individualized follow-up with an app for one year post-Cardiac Rehabilitation (post-CR) significantly improved exercise capacity, exercise habits and self-perceived goal achievement compared to a control group receiving usual care. To prepare for real-world implementation of an app to promote healthy behaviour post-CR, we will investigate the long-term effects (3-5 year post intervention). The aim of this study is to examine the long-term (3-5 year post intervention) effects post individualized follow-up with an app for one year, compared to a control group that received usual care on factors related to healthy behaviour in patients post-CR. We hypothesize that patients allocated to the intervention group post-CR have internalized healthy behaviour and therefore have significantly higher exercise capacity and lower bodyweight compared to the control group, 3-5year post intervention.