NCT03788044

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate a new and innovative educational application based on targeted education on the adherence level for NOACs (non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants) in AF patients, compared with standard care, online targeted education and in-person targeted education. Several other parameters (knowledge level, quality of life, symptom burden, self-care capabilities, evaluation of educational efforts) will be studied. If resources allow, cardiovascular outcomes, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility will also be investigated.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
194

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2019

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 5, 2018

Completed
22 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 27, 2018

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 28, 2019

Completed
2.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 30, 2022

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 30, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

November 3, 2022

Status Verified

November 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

2.9 years

First QC Date

December 5, 2018

Last Update Submit

November 2, 2022

Conditions

Keywords

EducationApplicationAdherence

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Patients' adherence to medication (oral anticoagulation), measured by the Medication Events Monitoring System (MEMS).

    Monitored between 0-12 months and 12-15 months if resources allow.

Secondary Outcomes (6)

  • Patients' knowledge level, assessed by the Jessa Atrial fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ)

    at baseline,1 month,3-,6-,12 months in the application group.(+18-and if applicable at 24-,30-,36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups).In the standard care groups at 12 or 18 months (if applicable at the end of the study).

  • Patients' quality of life, assessed by the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire and the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT) Questionnaire.

    at baseline, 3- and 12 months in the application group.(+18-and if applicable at 36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups.) In the standard care groups at baseline and 12 or 18 months (and if applicable at the end of the study).

  • Patients' quality of life, assessed by the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT) Questionnaire.

    at baseline and 12 months in the application group.(+18-and if applicable at 36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups.) In the standard care groups at baseline and 12 or 18 months (and if applicable at the end of the study).

  • Patients' symptom burden, assessed by the Leuven ARrhythmia Questionnaire (LARQ).

    at baseline,3- and 12 months in the application group.(+18-and if applicable at 36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups).In the standard care groups at baseline and 12 or 18 months (and if applicable at the end of the study).

  • Patients' self-care capabilities, assessed by the Self-Care Questionnaire (SCQ).

    at baseline, 3- and 12 months in the application group. (+18-and if applicable 36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups).In the standard care groups at baseline and 12 or 18 months (and if applicable at the end of the study).

  • +1 more secondary outcomes

Other Outcomes (10)

  • The first occurrence of a cardiovascular event

    Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.

  • Mortality

    Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.

  • Number of (un)planned hospital admissions

    Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.

  • +7 more other outcomes

Study Arms (4)

Application-driven education (AF-EduApp substudy)

EXPERIMENTAL

Education will be given via a newly developed application. Medication adherence (oral anticoagulation) will be measured using a special bottle cap that fits on a medication bottle. The patients in this group will receive feedback (notification and/or alarm) during the entire study period via this application when these patients have to take their medication.

Other: Education

In-person education (AF-EduCare study)

EXPERIMENTAL

Education will be given on regular basis via predefined consultation visits. Medication adherence (oral anticoagulation) will also be measured using a special bottle cap that fits on a medication bottle. If adherence is low, the patient will get additional feedback when he does not take this medication as prescribed.

Other: Education

Online education (AF-EduCare study)

EXPERIMENTAL

Education will be given on regular basis via a special designed online platform. Medication adherence (oral anticoagulation) will also be measured using a special bottle cap that fits on a medication bottle. If adherence is low, the patient will get additional feedback when he does not take this medication as prescribed.

Other: Education

Standard care (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduAppsub study)

NO INTERVENTION

This group of AF patients will serve as a control group and no extra focused educational reinforcements will be provided beyond standard care (i.e. information of the treating physician and a brochure).

Interventions

Education + Medication adherence monitoring + Feedback when low adherence

Application-driven education (AF-EduApp substudy)In-person education (AF-EduCare study)Online education (AF-EduCare study)

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age ≥ 18 years.
  • Patients in whom AF or atrial flutter is diagnosed with an electrocardiogram (12-lead, holter,...).
  • Patients who are capable to sign the informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • Not able to speak and read Dutch.
  • Cognitive impaired (e.g. severe dementia).
  • Life expectancy is estimated to be less than 1 year.
  • Ongoing participation in another clinical trial.
  • Pregnant women

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Antwerp University Hospital

Edegem, Belgium

Location

Jessa Hospital

Hasselt, Belgium

Location

Related Publications (2)

  • Knaepen L, Desteghe L, Delesie M, Onder R, Vijgen J, Dendale P, Ector J, Heidbuchel H. Effectiveness of the AF-EduCare and AF-EduApp approach to improve atrial fibrillation knowledge and risk factor awareness in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2025 Mar 3;24(2):266-276. doi: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvae164.

  • Delesie M, Knaepen L, Dendale P, Vijgen J, Ector J, Desteghe L, Heidbuchel H. Baseline demographics of a contemporary Belgian atrial fibrillation cohort included in a large randomised clinical trial on targeted education and integrated care (AF-EduCare/AF-EduApp study). Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023 Jun 2;10:1186453. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1186453. eCollection 2023.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation

Interventions

Educational Status

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arrhythmias, CardiacHeart DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Socioeconomic FactorsPopulation Characteristics

Study Officials

  • Hein Heidbuchel, MD, Phd

    University Hospital of Antwerp

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: AF patients will be divided in four groups (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy): one group will have application-based education (AF-EduApp substudy), the second group will have in-person education (AF-EduCare study), the third group will have online education (AF-EduCare study) and the fourth group will receive standard AF care (AF-EduCare study and not eligible for AF-EduApp substudy). NOAC adherence will be compared between these groups.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor Doctor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 5, 2018

First Posted

December 27, 2018

Study Start

October 28, 2019

Primary Completion

September 30, 2022

Study Completion

September 30, 2022

Last Updated

November 3, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-11

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations