At a glance
- What the study gets you
- Access to the study treatment being tested
- Type of study
- Interventional (receives a drug or procedure)
- Time in hospital
- In-person visits at study sites — visit count not specified by the sponsor
- Drug or intervention
- Biofeedback intervention (behavioural)
- How long the study runs
- Study runs about 22 months (dates as stated)
- About the drug or intervention
- Biofeedback intervention — behavioural: Participants wearing a smartwatch will receive feedback on their paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and physical activity.
- Patient visit burden
- Not specified by the sponsor
- Type of study
- Testing a treatment
- Ages
- 18 Years and over
- Who
- All
- Number of participants
- 40
- Started
- 2026-04-15
- Last checked
- 2026-05
Plain English Summary
What is this study?
- • Testing a new treatment for atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal)
- • NA - 40 participants
- • This project aims to bridge the gap between technology and healthcare by developing a biofeedback intervention that enables daily monitoring of atrial fibrillation episodes and physical activity levels
Who can take part?
- • Ages 18 Years and over
- • Diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal)
Where?
- • Liverpool - Liverpool John Moores University
This is a simplified summary. Always discuss with your doctor before making any decisions.
About This Trial
This project aims to bridge the gap between technology and healthcare by developing a biofeedback intervention that enables daily monitoring of atrial fibrillation episodes and physical activity levels. The main question it aims to answer is: Is a co-designed, usability-tested, bio-feedback intervention aimed at nudging patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to increase physical activity feasible for a larger randomised control trial? The trial is split into two separate phases, each adopting different study designs, data collection, and data analysis methods. Phase 1 Co-design and usability testing: In this phase, we aim to test if smartwatches can be used to monitor AF and physical activity so that personalised atrial fibrillation-specific summaries can be created and sent to participants as text message nudges. The aim is to encourage participants to be more physically active. Participants will wear a smartwatch for 3 weeks, during which they will receive text messages giving them feedback on their atrial fibrillation and physical activity. After the 3 weeks, all participants will take part in a workshop to provide feedback on what they thought and what could be improved. Improvements will be implemented by the researchers, and the process will repeat for a total of two iterations. On the first iteration only, participants will also be asked to wear a Holter monitor OR chest strap and an additional smartwatch for the first 24 hours, alongside an accelerometer watch for the first 7 days. Phase 2 Feasibility study with embedded process evaluation: This phase aims to assess whether it is feasible and acceptable to run a larger trial across the UK (i.e. can the intervention be delivered properly and do patients think it is useful). Participants will be randomly allocated to either their normal standard of care, or to receive a smartwatch with the biofeedback messaging service in addition to their normal standard of care. The study will take 6 and a half months in total. Both groups will complete online questionnaires periodically over this period. Both groups will also need to wear a smartwatch and accelerometer watch for 7 days before and after testing.
How this trial compares with your answers
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What we know so far
Still need:
- • Tell us your age for better matching
- • Tell us your sex for better matching
Preliminary match based on your answers. Full eligibility requires on-site assessment including medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. This does not guarantee enrolment.
Eligibility at a Glance
Key info
- Age: 18 Years and over
- Who can join: All genders
What the study is looking for
- ✓Participant is willing and able to give agreement to take part for participation in the study.
- ✓Aged 18 or over.
- ✓Diagnosed with paroxysmal AF
- ✓Deemed medically stable and well managed.
Who cannot take part
- ✗Any concurrent heart arrhythmia
- ✗Blood pressure \>180/100
- ✗Unstable angina
- ✗Myocardial infarction within the previous 3 months
- ✗Valvular heart disease
See the full criteria
Where Is This Study? (1 UK site)
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool L3 3AF, United Kingdom
How to Get in Touch
Luca J Howard
Sponsor contactCONTACT
Benjamin Buckley
Sponsor contactCONTACT