TY - JOUR
T1 - Community-based, cluster-randomized pilot trial of a cardiovascular mHealth intervention
T2 - Rationale, design, and baseline findings of the FAITH! Trial
AU - Brewer, La Princess C.
AU - Jenkins, Sarah
AU - Hayes, Sharonne N.
AU - Kumbamu, Ashok
AU - Jones, Clarence
AU - Burke, Lora E.
AU - Cooper, Lisa A.
AU - Patten, Christi A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022
PY - 2022/5
Y1 - 2022/5
N2 - Background: Compared to whites, African-Americans have lower prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) based on the American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 (LS7). These CVH inequities have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ideal LS7 health-promoting behaviors and biological risk factors (eg, diet, blood pressure) are associated with improved CVH outcomes. The FAITH! (Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health) App, a community-informed, mobile health (mHealth) intervention, previously demonstrated significant improvements in LS7 components among African-Americans, suggesting that mHealth interventions may be effective in improving CVH. This paper presents the FAITH! Trial design, baseline findings, and pandemic-related lessons learned. Methods: Utilizing a community-based participatory research approach, this study assessed the feasibility/preliminary efficacy of a refined FAITH! App for promoting LS7 among African-Americans in faith communities using a cluster, randomized controlled trial. Participants received the FAITH! App (immediate intervention) or were assigned to a delayed intervention comparator group. Baseline data were collected via electronic surveys and health assessments. Primary outcomes are change in LS7 score from baseline to 6-months post-intervention and app engagement/usability. Results: Of 85 enrolled individuals, 76 completed baseline surveys/health assessments, for a participation rate of 89% (N = 34 randomized to the immediate intervention, N = 42 to delayed intervention). At baseline, participants were predominantly female (54/76, 71%), employed (56/76, 78%) and of high cardiometabolic risk (72/76, 95% with hypertension and/or overweight/obesity) with mean LS7 scores in the poor range (6.8, SD = 1.9). Conclusions: The FAITH! Trial recruitment was feasible, and its results may inform the use of mHealth tools to increase ideal CVH among African-Americans.
AB - Background: Compared to whites, African-Americans have lower prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) based on the American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 (LS7). These CVH inequities have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ideal LS7 health-promoting behaviors and biological risk factors (eg, diet, blood pressure) are associated with improved CVH outcomes. The FAITH! (Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health) App, a community-informed, mobile health (mHealth) intervention, previously demonstrated significant improvements in LS7 components among African-Americans, suggesting that mHealth interventions may be effective in improving CVH. This paper presents the FAITH! Trial design, baseline findings, and pandemic-related lessons learned. Methods: Utilizing a community-based participatory research approach, this study assessed the feasibility/preliminary efficacy of a refined FAITH! App for promoting LS7 among African-Americans in faith communities using a cluster, randomized controlled trial. Participants received the FAITH! App (immediate intervention) or were assigned to a delayed intervention comparator group. Baseline data were collected via electronic surveys and health assessments. Primary outcomes are change in LS7 score from baseline to 6-months post-intervention and app engagement/usability. Results: Of 85 enrolled individuals, 76 completed baseline surveys/health assessments, for a participation rate of 89% (N = 34 randomized to the immediate intervention, N = 42 to delayed intervention). At baseline, participants were predominantly female (54/76, 71%), employed (56/76, 78%) and of high cardiometabolic risk (72/76, 95% with hypertension and/or overweight/obesity) with mean LS7 scores in the poor range (6.8, SD = 1.9). Conclusions: The FAITH! Trial recruitment was feasible, and its results may inform the use of mHealth tools to increase ideal CVH among African-Americans.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.01.009
DO - 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.01.009
M3 - Article
C2 - 35065922
AN - SCOPUS:85125782010
SN - 0002-8703
VL - 247
SP - 1
EP - 14
JO - American heart journal
JF - American heart journal
ER -