RECRUITING

Behavioral Exposure for Introceptive Tolerance RCT

Description

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.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

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.

A Tailored Exposure Intervention for Exercise Anxiety and Avoidance in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Behavioral Exposure for Introceptive Tolerance RCT

Condition
Exercise Sensitivity
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

East Brunswick

RWJ Cardiac Rehab at East Brunswick, East Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, 08816

New Brunswick

Rutgers Emotion, Health and Behavior Laboratory Department of Psychology, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, 08901

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility 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
  • 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

Ages Eligible for Study

40 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey,

Study Record Dates

2026-07-31