Fight Hypertension in the Digital Age

Status unconfirmed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Pre Hypertension, Hypertension

In brief

The estimated prevalence of hypertension is approximately 29.0% in the United States during 2015-2016. Hypertension remains an important public health challenge in the United States because it increases the risk for other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Strong evidence has indicated that physical activity is associated with reduced risk of hypertension. Lifestyle change programs, including physical activity promotion and dietary modification, have been shown to effectively reduce the cumulative incidence of hypertension for individuals at-risk. However, it is challenging to maintain a high-level program. Recently, the consumer marketplace has been flooded with an array of wearable activity monitors, such Fitbit and Apple Watch, designed to enhance real time self-assessment and activity behavior change. These devices provide potential to serve as more cost effective and appealing intervention means for behavior change applications. Studies have examined the accuracy of the devices but little has been done to examine the monitors' feasibility as a behavior change strategy in and of themselves or as an adjunct to traditional methods (e.g., education and goal setting through a health coach), among people with hypertension. The real-time physical activity monitoring also provides an opportunity to build customized physical activity biofeedback for behavior change. Thus, there is an increasing interest to investigate their application as a behavior change strategy in isolation or as a complement to a more traditional intervention. The current study will recruit participants with hypertension and pre-hypertension. A Fitbit Charge HR will be provided to use over the intervention to all participants. They will be randomly assigned into Fitbit only and Fitbit plus (adding weekly personalized report and health coach consulting) groups for 3-months.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03659656

Run by

University of Vermont

People needed

80

Starts

2018-10-01

Expected to finish

2020-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2018-09-07

Who can join

Age: 24 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Adults between the ages of 24-60.
• Willing to wear a Fitbit monitor for a period of 3 months.
• Able to read and speak English.
• Have a computer and/or smartphone and internet access to be able to make use of the Fitbit.
• Pre- and/or hypertension: systolic blood pressure >120mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >80mmHg. Not taking medication: If an individual has systolic blood pressure >140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >90mmHg they will not be allowed to participate without approval from their physician. Currently taking medication: they will need to provide a physician's note to participate.
• Inactive: less than 150 min/week of exercise over the past 3 months and not currently participating in a structured exercise program.

You may not qualify if…

• Individuals who are currently using a Fitbit or similar monitoring device to track their physical activity.
• Individuals with injuries or conditions that prevent them from safely participating in physical activity
• cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease
• Cancer, requiring treatment in the past 5 years
• Other medical condition that is life-threatening or can interfere with or be aggravated by participating in physical activity

Where it is running

• University of Vermont — Burlington, Vermont, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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