Pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare but serious condition leading to high lung blood pressure. Without early intervention, it is life-threatening. Most treatments rely on costly medications that can cause side effects. Although once considered dangerous in PH, moderate exercise is safe and can significantly improve quality of life (QoL) and heart and lung health. However, most PH patients are inactive, reporting lower QoL. Inpatient exercise programs in adults increases QoL and certain lung and heart metrics better than medications, decreasing medication need, side effects, and cost. However, hospital-based programs are challenging in children because children’s hospitals have large catchments, requiring families to travel long distances or even relocate, creating geographic, financial, and psychosocial barriers. We want to support children with PH to be active regardless of such barriers.
Consequently, we are currently conducting a prospective pilot study in adolescents with PH (Vanderbilt University and the University of San Francisco) pairing wearable fitness trackers with behavioural modification through personalized motivational mobile health (mHealth) text coaching to encourage physical activity. We are comparing QoL inventories and heart and lung health at the beginning and end of a 12-week trial. As an IMPaCT (Increasing capacity for Maternal and Pediatric Clinical Trials) Postdoctoral Fellow co-funded through Michael Smith Health Research BC and CIHR I will receive specific clinical trials training and mentorship. My aim is to generate a Canadian clinical trial using a similar remote rehabilitation paired with mHealth model in Canadian adolescents with PH with expanded metrics for heart and lung health and QoL. We hope that by using everyday technology for remote active living support, we can surpass barriers to offer lower-cost, accessible means for children with PH to live healthier, more active lives.