The Penn State Heart Assistant: A pilot study of a web-based intervention to improve self-care of heart failure patients

Thomas Lloyd, Harleah Buck, Andrew Foy, Sara Black, Antony Pinter, Rosanne Pogash, Bobby Eismann, Eric Balaban, John Chan, Allen Kunselman, Joshua Morrison Smyth, John Boehmer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Penn State Heart Assistant, a web-based, tablet computer-accessed, secure application was developed to conduct a proof of concept test, targeting patient self-care activities of heart failure patients including daily medication adherence, weight monitoring, and aerobic activity. Patients (n = 12) used the tablet computer-accessed program for 30 days—recording their information and viewing a short educational video. Linear random coefficient models assessed the relationship between weight and time and exercise and time. Good medication adherence (66% reporting taking 75% of prescribed medications) was reported. Group compliance over 30 days for weight and exercise was 84 percent. No persistent weight gain over 30 days, and some indication of weight loss (slope of weight vs time was negative (−0.17; p value = 0.002)), as well as increased exercise (slope of exercise vs time was positive (0.08; p value = 0.04)) was observed. This study suggests that mobile technology is feasible, acceptable, and has potential for cost-effective opportunities to manage heart failure patients safely at home.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)292-303
Number of pages12
JournalHealth informatics journal
Volume25
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Health Informatics

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