The AHA Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Use of AHA’s Cholesterol CarePlan to be Delivered as a Mobile Phone App to Patients Prescribed Cholesterol Lowering Medication
IRAS ID
228362
Contact name
Kausik Ray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study will investigate the use of a mobile phone app developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) by patients prescribed cholesterol lowering medication.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of disability and premature mortality accounts for a third of deaths annually in England. Preventing long term illness and disability associated with CVD is important for improving public health. Behaviour modification in relation to physical activity, nutrition, smoking and alcohol consumption as well as regularly taking cholesterol lowering medication is linked with a reduction in the risk of CVD. Improving compliance to regularly taking medication has become a priority to decrease CVD risk but there has been modest success with existing interventions. The purpose of this study is to understand if a mobile phone app helps improve lifestyle and medication compliance in patients taking cholesterol medication.
Primary questions:
1. Will patients participate to take part in the AHA Cholesterol CarePlan?
2. Will the patients be representative of the eligible population?
3. Will patients comply with the app through the 12 week study period?
Secondary questions:
1. What are the changes in lifestyle and risk factors among the participants?
2. What are the barriers and facilitators to using the app and the changes in quality of life?This is a prospective observational feasibility study with participants on cholesterol lowering medication and owning an iPhone eligible to participate. 180 participants will be included in the study from GP clinics across North West London.
Participants will come into the clinic to undergo a series of clinical and biometric measurements for three visits: two will be during the 12 week period when the app is administered and one at six months after initial enrolment. As part of the app, participants will answer questions about lifestyle and watch educational videos.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
17/NS/0099
Date of REC Opinion
20 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion