CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT04131816Updated Apr 4, 2022

HeartHome: A Nurse-Driven, Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

An interventional study of HeartHome in Myocardial Infarction, Acute Coronary Syndrome and ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), sponsored by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 40 Years to 80 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-04-04.

Sponsored by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
14
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
40 Years to 80 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this implementation trial is to execute a nurse-led, home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) program, evaluate the program's impact on patient outcomes over 6 months; and compare outcomes of HeartHome (HH) participants to a group of participants in traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Read the detailed description

Despite being recognized as a class 1 recommendation by the American Heart Association (AHA), traditional CR is underused: only 20% of patients who need CR are referred, and only half of those referred enroll in the program. The primary barriers to enrollment in CR include the failure of providers to refer patients; systems that lack a clear, streamlined referral process; and patients who face multiple barriers, including knowledge, transportation, cost, time, and social-family support.

The HeartHome program is adapted from MULTIFIT, an evidence-based, interdisciplinary model of care developed at Stanford University was originally designed to provide coronary risk factor modification in post-MI patients, and later modified to implement consensus guidelines for providing HBCR to individuals with CVD using nurse managed care via telephone follow-up. HeartHome will combine nurse home visits with telephone and electronic supports for participants in a HBCR program that allows them to engage in cardiac rehabilitation programs at home.

In this trial, nurses will deliver the 12-week educational program to 150 participants. Participants will then complete follow-up assessments at the end of the program (3 months post enrollment), and then at 6-months post enrollment. The data collected will be compared to a control group that contains de-identified data from 150 patients that attend the traditional cardiac rehab program.

02

Conditions studied

  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome
  • ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
  • Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
  • Angina, Stable

Keywords

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation
03

In context

Myocardial Infarction

2,744 studies on the registry are indexed under Myocardial Infarction; 418 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 14 is below the median of 148 across 1,595 interventional studies indexed under Myocardial Infarction.

Browse Myocardial Infarction studies →

Lead sponsor

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill is the lead sponsor of 1,340 studies on the registry; 133 are open to participants now.

Of its 155 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 136 (88%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
40 Years to 80 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Eligibility criteria

Individuals are eligible for the HeartHome study if they meet all the following inclusion criteria:

  • Diagnosed with one of the following conditions: myocardial infarction (MI)/acute coronary syndrome (ACS), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or stable angina;
  • Decline traditional cardiac rehab or do not respond to traditional cardiac rehab enrollment methods;
  • Willing to have a nurse visit them in their home and receive follow-up phone calls and text messages for a 12-week intervention period;
  • Understand the requirements of participation in and consent to the HeartHome program;
  • Live within a 75-mile radius of the study site.

Individuals are not eligible for the HeartHome study if they meet any of the following exclusion criteria:

  • Diagnosis of heart failure
  • Diagnosis of valvular heart disease
  • Presence of cardiac disease requiring surgery or other invasive procedure
  • Impaired mental capacity resulting in an inability to understand or follow directions and study protocol
  • Impaired functional abilities that prevent them from participating in physical activity
  • Presence of any serious medical conditions that are likely to cause premature death or to impair functional capacity
  • No access to a telephone
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
14 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    HeartHome Intervention

    Participants will be in the HeartHome program for a total of 12 weeks.

    Behavioral: HeartHome

  • No intervention
    Control

    De-identified data from 150 patients who attend a traditional cardiac rehabilitation program during the same general time of the HeartHome implementation

Interventions

  • BehavioralHeartHome

    The HeartHome program is an expanded home-based cardiac rehabilitation program that combines nurse home visits with telephone and electronic supports for participants that allows them to engage in cardiac rehabilitation activities at home.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of HeartHome patient referrals into the HeartHome program

    Number of patient referrals into the HeartHome program will be measured by the total number of participants eligible to enroll in traditional cardiac rehab that were referred to the HeartHome program.

    Time frame: 10 months after beginning of study

  2. Proportion of HeartHome patient referral into the HeartHome program

    Proportion of patient referrals into the HeartHome program will be measured by the number of patients referred to the HeartHome program relative to the number of patients referred to traditional cardiac rehab.

    Time frame: 10 months after beginning of study

  3. Proportion of HeartHome patient enrollments in the HeartHome program

    Proportion of patient enrollments in the HeartHome program will be measured by the number of patients who enroll in the HeartHome program relative to the number of eligible patients referred to the HeartHome program. Enrollment is defined by signing the study consent form.

    Time frame: 10 months after beginning of study

  4. Participation in HeartHome's participants in-person visits

    Participation in HeartHome's in-person visits will be measured by the number of in-person visits that each participant attends relative to the total number of in-person visits. The total number of visits possible per person is 5, with higher numbers associated with better participation.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post HeartHome intervention start

  5. Participation in HeartHome's participants interactive online classes

    Participation in HeartHome's online classes will be measured by the number of online classes that each participant attends relative to the total number of interactive online classes. The total number of classes possible is 7, with higher numbers associated with better participation.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post HeartHome intervention start

  6. Participation in HeartHome intervention calls

    Participation in HeartHome's calls will be measured by the number of calls that each participant attends relative to the total number of calls. The total number of calls possible is 8, with higher rate associated with better participation.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post HeartHome intervention start

  7. HeartHome intervention weekly goal adherence score

    Adherence to weekly goals will be measured by participant goal achievement, which includes 33 opportunities for goal achievement and progression. The range is 0-33, with higher scores associated with greater adherence to weekly goals.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post HeartHome intervention start

  8. Number of sessions completed.

    Sessions completed by participants will be measured by the total number of calls, interactive online classes, and in-person visits attended. The total number of sessions is 20, with higher numbers associated with higher participation. Sessions completed by the control group will be measured by the total number of exercise sessions and classes attended. The total number of sessions for the control group is 46, with higher numbers associated with higher participation.

    Time frame: 13-weeks post start of HeartHome and control intervention

Secondary outcomes

  1. HeartHome participants' physical function at baseline and at week 12

    HeartHome participants' physical function will be measured by the six-minute walk distances at baseline and at 12 weeks. Longer distances (in meters) are associated with higher physical function.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post start of HeartHome intervention

  2. Change in HeartHome participant's physical functioning, sub score of RAND SF-36 from baseline to week 12 and baseline to week 24.

    Change in participants' physical function will be measured by a sub score of the RAND Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). The range is 0 - 100, and higher scores are associated with better physical function.

    Time frame: 12- and 24-weeks post start of intervention

  3. Change in HeartHome participant's role limitations due to physical health, sub score of RAND SF-36 from baseline to week 12 and baseline to week 24.

    Change in participants' role limitations due to physical health will be measured by a sub score of the RAND Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). The range is 0 - 100, and higher scores are associated with fewer role limitations due to physical health.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  4. Change in HeartHome participant's role limitations due to emotional problems, sub score of RAND SF-36 from baseline to week 12 and baseline to week 24.

    Change in participants' role limitations due to emotional problems will be measured by a sub score of the RAND Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). The range is 0 - 100, and higher scores are associated with fewer role limitations due to emotional problems.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  5. Change in HeartHome participant's energy/fatigue, sub score of RAND SF-36 from baseline to week 12 and baseline to week 24.

    Change in participants' energy/fatigue will be measured by a sub score of the RAND Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). The range is 0 - 100, and higher scores are associated with higher energy/lower fatigue.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  6. HeartHome participant's emotional well-being, sub score of RAND SF-36, assessed at baseline, week 12, and week 24.

    Participants' emotional well-being will be measured by a sub score of the RAND Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). The range is 0 - 100, and higher scores are associated with better emotional well-being.

    Time frame: 12- and 24-weeks post start of intervention

  7. HeartHome participant's social functioning, sub score of RAND SF-36, evaluated at baseline, week 12, and week 24.

    Participants' social functioning will be measured by a sub score of the RAND Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). The range is 0 - 100, and higher scores are associated with better social functioning.

    Time frame: 12- and 24-weeks post start of intervention

  8. HeartHome participant's bodily pain, a sub score of RAND SF-36, will be evaluated at baseline, week 12 and week 24.

    Participants' bodily pain will be measured by a sub score of the RAND Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). The range is 0 - 100, and higher scores are associated with less pain.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  9. HeartHome participant's general health, sub score of RAND SF-36 at baseline, week 12, and week 24.

    Participants' general health will be measured by a sub score of the RAND Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). The range is 0 - 100, and higher scores are associated with better general health.

    Time frame: 12- and 24-weeks post start of intervention

  10. HeartHome participant's change of participant and control physical functioning, sub score of RAND SF-36, from baseline to week 12 to end of program

    Participants' physical function will be measured by a sub score of the RAND SF-36. The range is 0-100, and higher scores are associated with better physical functioning.

    Time frame: 13-weeks post start of HeartHome and control intervention

  11. HeartHome participant's blood pressure at baseline and weeks 3, 5, 7 and 12.

    Blood pressure will be measured by blood pressure measurements, measured in mmHg.

    Time frame: Baseline, weeks 3, 5, 7, and 12 of intervention

  12. Participants' and control's blood pressure at baseline and 12 weeks

    Blood pressure will be measured by blood pressure measurements, measured in mmHg.

    Time frame: Baseline and 13-weeks post start of HeartHome and control intervention

  13. Change in HeartHome participant's reported nicotine use from baseline to week 12 and baseline to week 24.

    Rates of nicotine use will be measured by the change in participant-reported number of cigarettes smoked per week and patient-report of weekly frequency of non-cigarette nicotine use from baseline to week 12, and baseline to week 24.

    Time frame: 12- and 24-weeks post start of intervention

  14. HeartHome participant's waist circumference from baseline to week 12.

    Waist circumference will be measured in centimeters at the beginning of the intervention (HeartHome program) and 12 weeks after beginning the intervention (HeartHome program). Negative changes in waist circumference are associated with greater weight loss.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post start of intervention

  15. HeartHome participant's Body Mass Index at baseline and week 12.

    Body Mass Index will be calculated from the participants' weights and heights at the beginning of the intervention (HeartHome program) and 12 weeks after beginning the intervention (HeartHome program). Lower numbers are associated with weight loss, and a patients' healthy range varies by age and gender.

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post start of intervention

  16. Change of HeartHome participants' and control Body Mass Index from baseline to week 12

    Body Mass Index will be calculated by assessing participant weight and height at the beginning of the intervention (HeartHome program) and 12 weeks after beginning the intervention (HeartHome Program). Lower numbers are associated with weight loss, and a patients' healthy range varies by age and gender.

    Time frame: Baseline and 13-weeks post start of HeartHome and control intervention

  17. HeartHome participant's average weekly steps walked from baseline to week 12.

    Average steps walked will be calculated using electronic fitness trackers at the beginning of the intervention (HeartHome program) and 12 weeks after beginning the intervention (HeartHome program). Higher numbers are associated with higher physical activity.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post start of intervention

  18. HeartHome participant's self-Reported and medical record reviewed number of hospital admissions 12 and 24 weeks after beginning of heart home program.

    Participants' days of care utilization will be measured using the self-reported and medical record reviewed number of instances the participant is hospitalized in 12 and 24 weeks after the beginning of the heart home program.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  19. HeartHome participant's self-Reported and medical record reviewed number of days hospitalized 12 and 24 weeks after beginning of heart home program.

    Participants' days of care utilization will be measured using the self-reported and medical record reviewed number of combined days the participant spends in the hospital in 12 and 24 weeks after the beginning of the heart home program.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  20. HeartHome participant and control number of hospital readmissions at 12 weeks

    Hospital readmission will be measured using patient self-reports and medical record reviews of hospital admissions (yes/no) at 12 weeks after the start of the intervention (HeartHome program).

    Time frame: 13-weeks post start of HeartHome and control intervention

  21. HeartHome participant's self-reported and medical record reviewed number of ED visits without hospital admissions 12 and 24 weeks after beginning of HeartHome program

    Participants' days of care utilization will be measured using the self-reported and medical record reviewed number of combined visits the participant makes to the Emergency Department (ED) in 12 and 24 weeks after the beginning of the heart home program.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  22. HeartHome participant's self-reported and medical record reviewed number of specialist visits 12 and 24 weeks after beginning of the HeartHome program

    Participants' number of specialist visits will be measured using self-reported and medical record reviewed number of combined cardiology visits 12 and 24 weeks after the beginning of the heart home program.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  23. HeartHome participant's self-reported and medical record reviewed number of primary care visits 12 and 24 weeks after beginning of the HeartHome program

    Participants' number of primary care visits will be measured using self-reported and medical record reviewed number of combined primary care visits 12 and 24 weeks after the beginning of the heart home program.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  24. HeartHome participant's self-reported and medical record reviewed number of urgent care visits 12 and 24 weeks after beginning of the HeartHome program

    Participants' number of urgent care visits will be measured using self-reported and medical record reviewed number of combined urgent care visits 12 and 24 weeks after the beginning of the heart home program.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  25. HeartHome participant's Morisky 4-Item Scale scores at baseline, week 12, and week 24.

    Management of participants' medications will be measured using the Morisky 4-item scale, which includes four questions to estimate the risk of medication non-adherence. The range is 0 to 4, and lower scores are associated with lower levels of medication adherence.

    Time frame: 12- and 24-weeks post start of intervention

  26. HeartHome participant's change in perceived stress scale from baseline to week 12 and baseline to week 24.

    Participants' stress and emotional state will be measured using the perceived stress scale, which includes ten questions about individuals' feelings and thoughts during the last month. The range is 0-40, and higher scores are associated with higher levels of perceived stress.

    Time frame: 12 and 24 weeks post start of intervention

  27. HeartHome participant's change in dietary risk assessment from baseline to week 12 and baseline to week 24.

    Participants' diet and lifestyle change will be measured by the dietary risk assessment, which includes 33 questions about how many servings of commonly eaten foods that participants eat in a usual day or an average week. The range is 0-52, higher scores represent a more healthful dietary pattern.

    Time frame: 12- and 24- weeks post start of intervention

  28. Participants' and control's dietary risk assessment scores from baseline to week 12 to dietary risk assessment scores of control group.

    Participants' diet and lifestyle change will be measured by the dietary risk assessment, which includes 33 questions about how many servings of commonly eaten foods that participants eat in a usual day or an average week. The range is 0-52, higher scores represent a more healthful dietary pattern.

    Time frame: 13-weeks post start of HeartHome and control intervention

  29. HeartHome participant's change in PHQ-9 from baseline to week 12.

    Participants' emotional state will be measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, which includes 9 questions for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring the severity of depression. The range is 0 to 27, and scores represent cut-points for mild to severe levels of depression.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post start of intervention

  30. Change in participants' and control's PHQ-9 from baseline to week 12.

    Participants' emotional state will be measured by the PHQ-9, which includes 9 questions for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring the severity of depression. The range is 0 to 27, and scores represent cut-points for mild to severe levels of depression, with higher scores associated with more severe levels of depression.

    Time frame: 13-weeks post start of HeartHome and control intervention

  31. HeartHome participant's change in New General Self-Efficacy score from baseline to week 12 and baseline to week 24.

    Participants' confidence regarding task and situational performance is measured by the New General Self-Efficacy Scale, which includes 8 questions about participant confidence. The range is 8 to 40, and higher scores are associated with higher self-efficacy.

    Time frame: 12- and 24-weeks post start of intervention

  32. HeartHome participant's change in knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation from baseline to 12 weeks and baseline to 24 weeks.

    Participants' knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation is measured by a 10-item Cardiac Rehabilitation Knowledge test at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores associated with greater knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation.

    Time frame: 12- and 24-weeks post start of intervention

  33. Participants' and control's change in knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation from baseline to 12 weeks.

    Participants' knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation is measured by a 10-item Cardiac Rehabilitation Knowledge test at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores associated with greater knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation.

    Time frame: 13-weeks post start of HeartHome and control intervention

07

Study locations

1 site
  • UNC Health Care
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 4, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04131816
Lead sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 18, 2019
Start date
Nov 10, 2019
Primary completion
Feb 11, 2022
Completion
Feb 11, 2022
Last update
Apr 4, 2022

Study contacts

Cheryl Jones, PhD, RN
principal investigator · University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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