Lark Health’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Heart Health Program Significantly Improves Cardiac Self-Efficacy

Pilot study reveals digital coaching with educational resources and remote patient monitoring helps increase confidence in improving and managing heart health

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, February 21, 2023 -- Lark Health, a leading digital care company for the prevention and management of chronic conditions, today announced key results from its pilot study surrounding its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Heart Health program, which helps patients prevent and manage heart disease by targeting Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk factors. The study, “Cardiac Self-Efficacy Improvement in a Digital Health Pilot Program for Heart Health” found that, on average, study participants increased their Cardiac Self-Efficacy (CSE) score by 12.93 percent, the first digital care solution to show CSE improvement. The CSE study results will be presented at The Society of Behavioral Medicine's 44th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions in Phoenix, AZ, from April 26–29, 2023. 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States – about 1 in every 5 deaths – with 121.5 million adults living with some type of CVD. Behavior change programs focused on leading a healthy lifestyle can play a critical role in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease risk. A component of this relies on helping patients develop a sense of self-efficacy around managing their cardiovascular health, which can include educational materials, care coaching and behavior change. 

“The rising rate and risk of cardiovascular diseases is staggering,” said Dr. Lynne Nowak, Chief Medical Officer, Lark Health. “This study validates that the use of Lark’s digital Heart Health program can further educate and inform patients about their heart health and guide them on taking the actions needed to reduce their risk of a cardiovascular event. At Lark, we provide patients with an accessible, engaging and informative care coaching experience, and I am pleased that we are not only driving improved health outcomes but are also helping patients make life-long healthy behavioral changes.”  

In collaboration with Roche Diagnostics, the 90-day pilot study first helped participants identify their own personal risks for developing cardiovascular disease, and then provided them with AI-powered care coaching and educational lessons focused on behaviors that reduce those risks and promote better heart health. The goals of the study were to demonstrate members' continued engagement with risk assessment surveys/screeners and  in-app coaching activities and device measurements to improve cardiac self-efficacy and reduce cardiovascular risk.  The pilot study recently concluded and reporting on full results is currently in progress.

As part of the study, 272 participants completed the 9-item Cardiac Self-Efficacy (CSE) scale on Day 2 and Day 40 to assess changes in confidence in their ability to manage their heart health. After 40 days in the Heart Health program, members on average showed a:

• 17.01% increase in confidence in “knowing when to call or visit the doctor for [their] heart disease.” 
• 16.26% increase in confidence in “knowing how much physical activity is good for [them].” 
• 19.98% increase in confidence that [they] can “get regular aerobic exercise.” 
  

Lark’s Heart Health program is an AI-powered lifestyle change program that provides health behavior coaching and surveys to prevent and manage atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and coronary artery disease by targeting key cardiovascular disease risk factors. The Lark Heart Health program is designed to be a 12-month program for primary prevention in individuals without a history of cardiovascular disease or secondary prevention for those in stable condition after a cardiovascular event. The Heart Health program delivers unlimited, real-time heart health coaching that focuses on digital nutrition therapy, medication adherence counseling, and personalized guidance on weight loss, physical activity, tobacco cessation, stress, and sleep. Heart Health is fully remote and offered to adult members of Lark’s healthcare partners via a smartphone connected to the internet. The content of Heart Health is designed in accordance with guidelines from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Nutrition, physical activity, and sleep recommendations in the Heart Health program are also informed by the American Diabetes Association, American Food and Drug Administration, and 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Lark and Roche will be at the upcoming ViVE 2023 show in Nashville, TN. Lark will be at booth V-2226 and Roche will be at booth #1604. 

To learn more about Lark’s Heart Health program or explore Lark for your organization, please reach out to us at www.lark.com/contact-us. 

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About Lark Health
Lark Health is a digital health technology company aimed at delivering infinitely scalable, accessible digital chronic condition prevention and management coaching. To date, Lark has provided 2 million people with real-time, 24/7 personalized care coaching that is delivered through an easy-to-use, text message-like interface. Through the use of conversational AI, connected devices, remote patient monitoring, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, Lark helps patients improve their health to manage and reduce their risk of chronic disease. Lark's scalable platform seamlessly integrates with health plans' and employers' existing healthcare infrastructure to support their chronic care prevention and management programs. Lark currently works with many of the largest health plans across five programs: Prevention, Heart Health, Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Management, and Hypertension Management. Lark's Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which is the fastest-growing and lowest-cost DPP, has received Full Recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The company has received numerous accolades, including having been named as one of CB Insights Digital Health 150 (2019), a finalist for the UCSF Digital Health Awards (2022), one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies (multiple years), and one of Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 (2020). To learn more, visit www.lark.com.
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Media Contact‍

Jessica Beote

Matter Communications‍

jbeote@matternow.com