Key result
Digital fatigue monitoring in HF is linked to ~26% fewer hospitalizations versus standard care.
Why the study?
Fatigue is a key but underrecognized symptom of heart failure, and digital health tools using wearable data for early deterioration detection remain unexplored in routine HF management.
Does a wearable-integrated digital fatigue monitoring system improve early detection of deterioration and reduce hospitalizations in heart failure patients?
Observational (n=150)
No
Does a wearable-integrated digital fatigue monitoring system improve early detection of deterioration and reduce hospitalizations in heart failure patients?
A digital fatigue monitoring system using wearables and mobile apps is feasible, predicts clinical deterioration, and may significantly reduce acute heart failure admissions.
Supports feasibility of digital fatigue monitoring in HF; extends NT-proBNP correlations but leaves hospitalization reduction open pending RCTs.
Background Fatigue is a key but underrecognized symptom of heart failure (HF), traditionally assessed subjectively. Biomarkers like NT-proBNP guide risk stratification, but digital health tools leveraging wearable data for early deterioration detection remain unexplored in routine HF management. Since January 2024, a National Heart Center, has implemented a digital fatigue monitoring system to evaluate the feasibility of integrating remote symptom tracking into HF management. Purpose To assess the feasibility, patient adherence, and predictive value of a wearable-integrated fatigue monitoring system for detecting early HF deterioration. Methods Prospective observational study (January 2024 – March 2025). 150 HF patients (NYHA II-III, LVEF <50%) enrolled at a National Heart Center. Intervention: Wearable devices (step count, heart rate variability [HRV]). Weekly digital fatigue questionnaire via mobile app (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]). Results Primary: Patient adherence (≥75% weekly symptom reporting). Correlation of fatigue scores with NT-proBNP trends. Association of step count & HRV variability with HF events. Secondary: HF hospitalization rates vs. standard care. Results (Preliminary 3-Month Data, n=100) 84% of patients successfully completed ≥75% of weekly symptom reporting. High fatigue scores (FSS >6) correlated with NT-proBNP elevation (R=0.69, p<0.001). Declining step count variability & HRV predicted HF hospitalization (median 8-day lead time, p=0.01). 26% lower acute HF admission rates in digitally monitored patients vs. standard care (p=0.03). Conclusion Early findings suggest that a digital fatigue monitoring system is feasible, predictive of HF deterioration, and may reduce hospitalizations. If validated in larger studies, integrating wearable-derived metrics & patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into routine HF care could revolutionize HF monitoring and early intervention.
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Tawfek et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Heart failure (n=150). Digital fatigue monitoring system (wearable devices and weekly digital fatigue questionnaire) vs. Standard care was evaluated on Patient adherence (≥75% weekly symptom reporting). A digital fatigue monitoring system was feasible, with 84% of patients achieving high adherence, and was associated with 26% lower acute HF admission rates versus standard care (p=0.03).
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