Dr. McDermott and her colleagues are testing the boundaries of support in the ongoing HONOR trial, which includes four weekly visits to an exercise center in phase I to meet the telephone coach, learn to use a Fitbit monitor, and learn the behavioral skills necessary for long-term adherence. Phase II, however, is entirely home based and includes only Fitbit self-monitoring, regular telephone calls from the coach for feedback, use of the study website, and optional group telephone calls.
The bottom line with any program is for patients to understand it must be indefinite to maintain improvement.
“Unfortunately, if they don’t stick with it, they will slide back,” she cautioned.
Dr. McDermott reported research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and Novartis.