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Behavioral Exposure Therapy for Exercise Intolerance (BE-FIT Trial)

Phase 2
Recruiting
Research Sponsored by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Medically approved cardiac rehabilitation
≥ 40 years of age
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 24 weeks
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing a mechanism-informed behavioral intervention, BE-FIT, to target exercise anxiety in order to increase exercise outcomes. The intervention includes exposure to feared bodily sensations and exercise, prevention of safety behavior use, and use of a wrist-worn activity monitor for feedback and goal setting.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for individuals over 40 with high exercise anxiety, approved for cardiac rehab, and not very active. They must speak English and have no severe cognitive impairments or chronic conditions that could interfere with the study.
What is being tested?
The BE-FIT program aims to reduce exercise anxiety through exposure therapy, stopping safety behaviors around exercise, and using a wrist activity monitor. It's being compared to standard health education in a randomized-controlled trial.
What are the potential side effects?
There are no specific side effects mentioned for BE-FIT; however, as it involves physical activity and exposure therapy, participants may initially experience increased anxiety or discomfort during exercises.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am enrolled in a heart health rehab program.
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I am 40 years old or older.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~24 weeks
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 24 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Overall minutes of exercise

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Behavioral Exposure For Introceptive ToleranceExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
The BE-FIT intervention is a cognitive-behavioral intervention and is designed to target exercise anxiety. The three main 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 (Fitbit) for PA feedback and activity goal setting.
Group II: Health Education ControlActive Control1 Intervention
HEC is a time-matched control intervention that will be delivered on the same delivery schedule as BE-FIT. In this arm, participants will be provided educational information about health topics relevant to healthy aging delivered through PowerPoint lectures and handouts and use a Fitbit for PA monitoring.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyLead Sponsor
455 Previous Clinical Trials
69,805 Total Patients Enrolled
National Institute on Aging (NIA)NIH
1,804 Previous Clinical Trials
28,194,753 Total Patients Enrolled
2 Trials studying Cardiac Rehabilitation
363 Patients Enrolled for Cardiac Rehabilitation

Media Library

Behavioral Exposure For Introceptive Tolerance Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05398276 — Phase 2
Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Study Groups: Behavioral Exposure For Introceptive Tolerance, Health Education Control
Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Trial 2023: Behavioral Exposure For Introceptive Tolerance Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05398276 — Phase 2
Behavioral Exposure For Introceptive Tolerance 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05398276 — Phase 2
Cardiac Rehabilitation Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT05398276 — Phase 2
~55 spots leftby Jul 2026