e-Diary in Heart Failure

The Use of a Symptom and Weight e-Diary Among Patients With Heart Failure

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and feasibility of using a smartphone application to monitor symptoms and weight in patients with advanced heart failure.

Attention to symptoms of heart failure and weight gain are central tenets in heart failure patient education and self-care. A key self-care skill for heart failure patients is the early detection of subtle changes in symptoms. Daily diary use can be one method for patients to acknowledge and attend to their symptoms. This study is examining if the use of a diary in the form of an app on a mobile phone will improve patient outcomes. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups-- usual care or the Movn mobile application. Participants randomized to the mobile app will be asked to record their weight and any symptoms every day over the course of two months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 18 years old
• History of symptomatic heart failure (Class III or IV)
• Owns a smartphone or tablet compatible with the Movn mobile application

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment
• Lack of English proficiency/literacy
• Clinically unstable (decompensated heart failure NYHA class 3-4; unstable arrhythmias, aortic stenosis, thrombophlebitis, dissecting aneurysm, or symptomatic anemia; active infection; uncontrolled blood pressure: resting diastolic higher than 100 mmHg, systolic greater than 180 mmHg; unstable angina, 2nd or 3rd degree heart block; or uncontrolled high grade exercise-induced ventricular ectopy or hemodynamically unstable)