A randomized controlled trial using a digital health technology (DHT)-enabled intervention is feasible, with high patient retention, engagement and satisfaction, according to the mTECH Afib pilot study published April 30 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

In this pilot study, Nino Isakadze, MD, MPS, et al., randomized 61 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib) (mean age 65 years, 36% women) from outpatient clinics between June and December 2023 to either usual care or a multicomponent, virtual AFib management program that utilized the Corrie AF smartphone application, connected devices and virtual coaching calls from trained electrophysiology nurse-coaches.

The smartphone application helped patients track health metrics and medication adherence; provided access to educational videos, articles and peer support through social media; and allowed them to share health information with their clinical team.

Participants were provided smart devices, including WatchPAT ONE home sleep apnea tests, Omron blood pressure monitors, Bluetooth-connected scales and Apple Watch devices.

Results showed that at 12 weeks, patient retention was 89%, exceeding the prespecified 60% retention rate threshold. A total of 83% of participants in the intervention group and 93% in the usual care group completed the 12-week follow-up. In the intervention group, 88% were still using the smartphone application and 73% continued to participate in virtual coaching calls. There was a median of 2,145 total app interactions per participant throughout the study period.

Furthermore, 80% of participants reported being satisfied with the program, and the System Usability Score was 78.25 (compared to an average of 68.0). The Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life score increased more in the intervention group, from a median of 78.7 to 87.0, compared to an increase from 73.1 to 76.0 in the usual care group.

For AFib, the "real-world implementation of risk factor modification is sparse. Strategies for achieving widespread adoption of lifestyle modification among patients with [AFib] are limited, leaving a critical and urgent therapeutic gap," write the authors. "Digital health technologies have the potential to close this gap." The investigators are currently planning a larger-scale study among a more diverse patient population.