The ManageHF Just-in-Time Adaptive Mobile App Interventions to Promote Self-Management and Improve Outcomes in Heart Failure: Randomized Controlled Trial

Why clinicians should know about it

• Picked for Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine (top studies of the week, 2 August 2026): Factorial RCT of mobile app interventions for HF
• Picked for Geriatrics and Gerontology (top studies of the week, 2 August 2026).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a major health care challenge in the United States, with approximately 900,000 older adults hospitalized annually. Gaps in self-management, including unrecognized worsening symptoms and failure to adhere to dietary sodium restriction, can reduce quality of life and precipitate hospital admissions. Existing mobile health approaches to HF self-management have produced mixed results, highlighting the need for innovative strategies to improve postdischarge outcomes in at-risk patients. OBJECTIVE: The ManageHF trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 just-in-time adaptive interventions delivered via a mobile app to enhance HF self-management. The interventions focused on symptom recognition and lower dietary sodium restriction, with the goal of reducing readmissions and improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over a 12-week period. METHODS: The trial was a 2×2 factorial, double-blind, randomized controlled study conducted across several US institutions. Participants recently hospitalized for acute HF were randomized into 4 groups: both interventions, either intervention alone, or an active control. The primary outcome was a composite measure assessing time to all-cause death, time to first HF readmission, and HRQOL changes, using the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire. RESULTS: Recruitment was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the early discontinuation of the trial. Of the 62 participants enrolled, 43 completed the study. Participants were diverse, with a mean age of 55 (SD 14.4) years, 32% (20/62) were female, and 55% (34/62) identified as Black or African American. Most had HF with reduced ejection fraction. However, due to the early termination and small sample size, the ability to detect statistically significant differences was limited. CONCLUSIONS: The ManageHF trial highlighted the potential of mobile health technology to support HF management, particularly in enhancing HRQOL. Future studies using more effective recruitment and retention strategies are crucial for establishing the efficacy of these interventions with greater certainty.

Abstract as published, via PubMed.