Effectiveness of Text Messaging as an Incentive to Maintain Physical Activity after Cardiac Rehabilitation

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15480337
AuthorsGiulia Foccardi (0000-0002-8170-4741, University of Padua), Marco Vecchiato (0000-0002-5112-8472, University of Padua), Daniel Neunhäeuserer (0000-0001-9775-4260, University of Padua, corresponding author), Michele Mezzaro (University of Padua), Giulia Quinto (0000-0001-5653-275X, University of Padua), Francesca Battista (0000-0003-0760-1354, University of Padua), Federica Duregon (0000-0002-9033-1887, University of Padua), Roberto Carlon (Casa di Cura Città di Roma), Andrea Ermolao (0000-0002-0546-1514, University of Padua)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue12
Pages6645-6645
Publication date2021-06-21
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18126645
PMID34205551
OpenAlexW3174773931
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited30

Although the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is proven, the need to improve patients' adherence has emerged. There are only a few studies that have investigated the effect of sending text messages after a CR period to stimulate subjects' ongoing engagement in regular physical activity (PA). A randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted after CR, sending a daily PA text message reminder to an intervention group (IG), which was compared with a usual care control group (CG) during three months of follow-up. Thirty-two subjects were assessed pre- and post-study intervention with GPAQ, submaximal iso-watt exercise testing, a 30 s sit-to-stand test, a bilateral arm curl test, and a final survey on a seven-point Likert scale. A statistically significant difference in the increase of moderate PA time (Δ 244.7 (95% CI 189.1, 300.4) minutes, p p = 0.004) was shown when the IG was compared with the CG. This was associated with an improvement in heart rate, blood pressure, and patients' Borg rating on the category ratio scale 10 (CR10) in iso-watt exercise testing (all p p = 0.03). The telemedical intervention has been appreciated by the IG, whose willingness to continue with regular PA emerged to be superior compared to the CG. Text messages are an effective and inexpensive adjuvant after phase 2 CR that improves adherence to regular PA. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in a larger patient population and in the long term

Incentive · Medical emergency · Physical activity · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Physical therapy · Randomized controlled trial · Text messaging · World Wide Web · Cardiac Health and Mental Health · Computer Science · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Psychology · Internal Medicine · Rehabilitation

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