Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Smart Wearable Insights to Prevent Exacerbations and Recurrence - Rehabilitation Study: SWIPER-REHAB

The SWIPER-REHAB study is exploring how effective and cost-efficient a digital heart rehabilitation program is for adults with heart conditions. Participants will wear a smartwatch and use a special app called 'Imperial Healthy Hearts' on their smartphone. This app helps track movement, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels, sharing this information with both the patient and the research team. The app also delivers important health information from the care team. Researchers will compare how many people complete this program with past information and national targets. This study aims to understand if digital tools can make heart rehabilitation more accessible and beneficial for patients.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

1,800

Start

30 Jan 2025

Estimated completion

02 Mar 2026

Cardiovascular Diseases

What is this study about?

The SWIPER-REHAB study, which stands for "Smart Wearable Insights to Prevent Exacerbations and Recurrence - Rehabilitation Study," is focused on making heart rehabilitation easier and more effective for people who have had heart problems. Going through heart rehabilitation is really important for getting better and staying healthy after a heart condition. This study is testing a new way to do this using modern technology.

Participants in the study will use a smartwatch and a special app called 'Imperial Healthy Hearts' on their smartphone. This app helps keep track of important health information like your movement, heart rate, how fast you're breathing, and your oxygen levels. This information is shared with both you and the healthcare team directly through the app, helping everyone stay informed about your progress. The app also makes it simple for your care team to send you helpful educational materials and tips for managing your heart health.

The main goals of this research are to see how many people successfully complete this digital heart rehabilitation program and to understand if it's a good way to save money for the healthcare system while still providing excellent care. The rehabilitation plan itself follows all the usual, well-established national and local guidelines, so you can be confident you're getting the right kind of support for your heart recovery.

Key takeaways

This study uses smartwatches and an app for heart rehabilitation.
It aims to see how many people finish the digital program.
It also checks if the digital program saves money.
Participants will wear a watch and use an app to track health data.
The rehabilitation plan itself follows standard healthcare guidelines.
It's for adults starting heart rehabilitation at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to adults aged 18 or older who are preparing to start a heart rehabilitation program at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. It's important that you understand what the study involves and are happy to give your permission to take part.

However, there are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. If you have any skin problems, wounds, or other issues on your wrist that would make wearing a smartwatch uncomfortable or impossible, then this study isn't for you. Also, if your eyesight makes it difficult to use a smartwatch or a smartphone app, then you won't be able to participate.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you about to start a heart rehabilitation program at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust?
Can you comfortably wear a smartwatch on your wrist?
Can you easily see and use a smartphone app?
Do you understand what the study involves and are you happy to agree to take part?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, you'll receive a special smartwatch that you'll be asked to wear as much as possible throughout your rehabilitation program. You'll also need to download a smartphone app called 'Imperial Healthy Hearts' onto your own phone. This app will show your movement, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels, and share this information with the research team. Your care team will also use the app to send you educational materials. Your daily activities will be part of your usual heart rehabilitation, and the study will collect information from the app and your routine health records. There are no extra visits or special medications involved; you'll follow your regular heart rehabilitation plan.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part could offer the benefit of using technology to help you monitor your heart health during rehabilitation, which might give you a better understanding of your progress. There are very few risks expected, mainly involving wearing a smartwatch and using a smartphone app, which most people find easy to do. You might find it a bit inconvenient to wear the watch consistently or to check the app. You are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is heart rehabilitation?

Heart rehabilitation is a program of exercise and education designed to help you recover and improve your health after heart problems, like a heart attack or heart surgery. It helps you get stronger and learn how to reduce future risks.

Do I need to buy a smartwatch or smartphone?

No, you will be given a commercially available smartwatch to use for the study. You will need to have your own smartphone to download the 'Imperial Healthy Hearts' app.

Will my regular doctor know I'm in the study?

Yes, your regular care team at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will be involved in your heart rehabilitation and will be aware of your participation in the study.

What kind of information will the app collect?

The app will collect information about your movement, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels directly from the smartwatch. This helps both you and the research team understand your progress.

Will my personal health information be kept private?

The researchers will only use your health information for the study. They will protect your privacy, and your name won't be used in any reports or results.

How to find out more

Mihir Kelshiker, MD

mihir.kelshiker10@imperial.ac.uk +447590673758 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.