Behavioral Exposure for Introceptive Tolerance RCT
A Tailored Exposure Intervention for Exercise Anxiety and Avoidance in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
146 participants
May 3, 2022
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Behavioral Exposure for Interoceptive Tolerance (BE-FIT) is a mechanism-informed behavioral intervention to target exercise anxiety. The three primary components of BE-FIT include: (1) exposure to feared bodily sensations and exercise; (2) prevention of safety behavior use before/during/after exercise, and (3) use of a wrist-worn activity monitor for physical activity (PA) feedback and activity goal setting. Evidence from the investigators' Stage I trial indicated that BE-FIT is feasible, acceptable, and safe and produced reductions in exercise anxiety and increased exercise outcomes (short-term moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and steps/day). The investigators' present aim is to conduct a Stage II randomized-controlled trial to further evaluate the efficacy of BE-FIT in decreasing exercise anxiety in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients and examine whether changes in this target yield successive changes in exercise adherence outcomes.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- ≥ 40 years of age
- Elevated exercise anxiety (score of ≥ 30 on ESQ-18)
- Low active (\< 90 min self-reported moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity/day in past three months)
- Medically approved cardiac rehabilitation
- English proficiency
Exclusion Criteria3
- Evidence of cognitive impairment (≤ 23 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA)
- Severe disabling chronic medical and/or psychiatric comorbidities determined on a case-by-case basis that prevents safe or adequate participation
- Expectation that patient will not live through study periods
Interventions
BE-FIT will consist of a 6-session one-on one program with a clinician that are approximately 45 minutes delivered, over the course of 3 weeks (twice/week). Sessions will coincide with scheduled cardiac rehabilitation sessions at RWJ Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. The elements of BE-FIT are (1) psychoeducation about avoidance/anxiety and values clarification and committed action for exercise and lifestyle PA; (2) graded, repeated exposure to bodily sensations and exercise to build tolerance of discomfort; (3) fading safety behaviors and elimination of exercise avoidance behaviors to promote tolerance of uncertainty and reduce catastrophizing; and (4) use of Fitbit activity tracker to facilitate physical activity monitoring and provide physical activity feedback and goal-setting.
HEC is a time-matched control intervention that will be administered on the same delivery schedule as BE-FIT. The intervention content includes: (1) educational information about health topics relevant to healthy aging, and (2) Use of the Fitbit activity watch for PA monitoring. The 6 topics introduced in the HEC include: nutrition, sleep, brain health, emotional health, living with chronic conditions, how to be a smart patient. The health information will be conveyed through lectures and handouts. The goal of sessions will be to provide education, particularly as it relates to healthy aging. Patients will be given the same Fitbit as in the BE-FIT but will not be given PA goals.
Locations(2)
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NCT05398276