Behavioral Exposure for Introceptive Tolerance RCT

Summary

Behavioral Exposure for Interoceptive Tolerance (BE-FIT) is a mechanism-informed behavioral intervention to target exercise anxiety. The three primary 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 for physical activity (PA) feedback and activity goal setting. Evidence from the investigators' Stage I trial indicated that BE-FIT is feasible, acceptable, and safe and produced reductions in exercise anxiety and increased exercise outcomes (short-term moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and steps/day). The investigators' present aim is to conduct a Stage II randomized-controlled trial to further evaluate the efficacy of BE-FIT in decreasing exercise anxiety in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients and examine whether changes in this target yield successive changes in exercise adherence outcomes.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥ 40 years of age
2. Elevated exercise anxiety (score of ≥ 30 on ESQ-18)
3. Low active (\< 90 min self-reported moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity/day in past three months)
4. Medically approved cardiac rehabilitation
5. English proficiency

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Evidence of cognitive impairment (≤ 23 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA)
2. Severe disabling chronic medical and/or psychiatric comorbidities determined on a case-by-case basis that prevents safe or adequate participation
3. Expectation that patient will not live through study periods

Conditions5

Locations2 sites

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