Improving Physical Activity and Cardiac Rehabilitation Attendance Using Technology and Behavioral Economics

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Cardiac rehabilitation is a multifaceted physical activity program that incorporates medication adherence, smoking cessation, nutrition, and psychological counseling. Implementation of cardiac rehabilitation among those with cardiovascular disease (including ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and valvular heart disease) has been shown to increase physical activity and reduce cardiovascular mortality, morbidity, and hospital readmission rates. Cardiac rehabilitation carries a class I indication (standard of care) for post-acute coronary syndrome, post-percutaneous coronary intervention, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting/valve surgery, in patients with stable angina, and in patients with chronic heart failure per American College of Cardiology guidelines. Patient attendance and completion rates of a full regimen of cardiac rehabilitation therapy have been shown to be < 40% of those referred, depriving many eligible patients of the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation. The objective of this study is to test the feasibility of using behavioral economic interventions targeting daily step goals using wearable activity monitors to improve cardiac rehabilitation attendance among patients already referred for cardiac rehabilitation. We will compare three groups of 30 patients each as follows: 1) behaviorally designed gamification with social support; 2) loss-framed financial incentives; and 3) behaviorally designed gamification with social support AND loss-framed financial incentives.