Overview
Multicenter Prospective Controlled Randomized Trial, open-label, in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (acute coronary syndrome or chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic heart failure) and an approved indication for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Patients completing phase II CR will be randomized 1:1 to usual Phase-III care (standard care) versus standard care plus the Digitally-Enhanced Extended PrEvention \& Rehabilitation (DEEPER) package (intervention). Primary outcome is 6-month change in composite Life's Crucial 9 (LC9) (LE8 + PHQ-9).
Description
Multicenter Prospective Controlled Randomized Trial, open-label, in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (acute coronary syndrome or chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic heart failure) and an approved indication for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Patients completing phase II CR will be randomized 1:1 to usual Phase-III care (standard care) versus standard care plus the Digitally-Enhanced Extended PrEvention \& Rehabilitation (DEEPER) package (intervention). Primary outcome is 6-month change in composite Life's Crucial 9 (LE9) (LE8 + PHQ-9). Intervention (DEEPER) will include informative modules (patient will choose among graphic medicine, video or interactive messaging) that will be delivered every two weeks via secure digital platform (or booklet if offline); monthly motivational messages; moderated peer-support forum with leaderboard; remote wearable step/sleep upload with personalized content assignment and feedback, linked to the hospital interactive digital platform (Rehab companion).
Patients will be encouraged to have their own device to be adopted as lifelong maintenance. Nevertheless, centres will provide a smartwatch (fitbit) to all the patients enrolled in the trial as incentive for study participation and to uniformly collect study outcomes.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥ 18, men and women;
- patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (acute coronary syndrome or chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic heart failure);
- patients who completed phase II CR and are therefore eligible for CR phase III (maintenance).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to sign the informed consent;
- unable or unwilling to use digital devices due to mental/cognitive issues or without a support person helping them to access the respective technical devices;
- pregnant, lactating or women planning pregnancy during the course of the trial.
