SMART to Optimize an Intervention to Maintain Health Improvements After Cardiac Rehabilitation

Launched by THE MIRIAM HOSPITAL · Mar 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "SMART to Optimize an Intervention to Maintain Health Improvements After Cardiac Rehabilitation," is studying the best ways to help people keep improving their heart health after completing a cardiac rehabilitation program. Sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the study aims to enroll about 400 participants who are finishing or have recently completed cardiac rehabilitation. The researchers want to find out which treatments work best after rehabilitation and how to deliver these treatments in a way that is easy and not overwhelming for patients.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be at least 18 years old, have completed at least six sessions of cardiac rehabilitation, and enroll within six weeks of their last session. They should also have internet access and be able to walk at least one block. Importantly, the trial focuses on individuals who may face barriers to accessing ongoing support, such as women, people from minority groups, or those with financial difficulties. Participants will have the opportunity to try different low-intensity and higher-intensity support options to see which ones help them stay on track with their health goals after rehabilitation.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ≥18 years of age or older
• • Have completed at least 6 CR sessions
• • Must enroll within 6 weeks of their final CR session
• • BMI ≥27
• • Own an internet-connected device
• • Home internet access
• • English proficiency
• • Able to walk ≥1 block without stopping
• Lastly, the participant MUST belong to ≥1 of the following groups or identities:
• • Identifies as a woman
• • Identifies as LGBTQIA+
• • Identifies as a racial or ethnic minority
• • Insecure transportation for medical appointments
• • Self-reported trouble paying for healthcare needs (e.g., copays)
• • Receive income-based subsidized benefits (e.g., state-funded health insurance for low-income residents)
• • Reside in a small town or rural area per 2010 United States Department of Agriculture Rural-Urban Commuting Area zip code
• • Low educational attainment (≤high school diploma)
• • Low household income (less than twice the Federal Poverty Level) or meeting federal poverty guidelines per the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics and the Department of Health and Human Services)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • New York Heart Association Class IV heart failure
• • Heart transplant in the last 5 months
• • Left ventricular assist device in the last 4 months
• • Physician diagnosis of dementia
• • Physician prescription for 24 hours of oxygen therapy daily
• • Coronary artery bypass surgery in the last 3 months
• • Current dialysis
• • Chronic gait or balance disturbances that would make unsupervised exercise unsafe
• • Current pregnancy
• • Report of conditions that the investigators believe would render them potentially unlikely to follow the protocol including terminal illness, active substance dependence, or other significant psychiatric problems that require inpatient hospitalization