Evaluation of an application for self-assessment of cardiovascular risk behaviour: a pilot study

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background An important aim of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs is to reduce the risk of further cardiac events and improve the ability of people living with cardiovascular disease to manage their symptoms. Current CR strategies focus on (lifestyle) behaviour change, however, often patients are not activated enough to generate and self-sustain this lifestyle behaviour change. To stimulate adherence to lifestyle change recommendations, health behaviour should be (self-)assessed and then optimized in a personalized treatment plan. Although lifestyle monitoring apps are emerging rapidly, these applications are mostly targeted at a single lifestyle domain and often lack clinical validation. Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usability of a self-developed mobile application (Lifestylescore), that enables (self-)assessment of all cardiovascular risk behaviour domains (e.g. body composition, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, smoking, alcohol consumption, nutrition behaviour and psychological stress), using a combination of validated instruments. Secondly, it was investigated whether the use of the app was associated with an increase in patient activation and health behaviour improvement. Methods In this single-centre, non-randomized observational pilot study patients referred for CR due to coronary artery disease (stable angina pectoris or acute coronary syndrome, or after coronary revascularization) were recruited. Patients were asked to complete the Lifestylescore application, and, in addition, the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13), and System Usability Scale (SUS). All measurements were performed during the intake procedure (baseline) and after completion of the rehabilitation program (after three months (follow-up)). After completion of the application, patients discussed the results with their CR case manager and set individual goals. Results All participants (n = 20) completed the study. The participants scored the Lifestylescore application with a SUS-score of above average (>68). Patient activation did not increase after the CR program as compared to baseline. Although the majority of the patients acknowledged that activation for lifestyle improvement is important, only a small minority reported that they took action (Figure 1). Also, there was no improvement in lifestyle behaviour after completion of CR (Figure 2). Conclusions The Lifestylescore application showed acceptable usability among CR patients. However, its use was not associated with an increase in patient activation, nor with an improvement in lifestyle behaviour after CR. Therefore, further research is needed to evaluate how the application should be incorporated in the CR program to further increase patient’s awareness, empowerment and, ultimately, effectuate more sustained behavioral change.