Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42188085›Full record

ArticleJournal of cardiovascular development and disease2026

The FOOTLOOSE App: Evaluation of a Gamified App-Based Exercise Intervention for Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease-A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study.

Charlotte Schöneburg, Isabel Uphoff, Anna Thußbas, Laura Willinger, Renate Oberhoffer, Peter Ewert, Jan Müller

Abstract read
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Article in Journal of cardiovascular development and disease, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Charlotte SchöneburgInstitute of Preventive Pediatrics, Technische Universität München, 80809 München, Germany.
Isabel UphoffDepartment of Congenital Heart Disease and Pediatric Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, 80636 München, Germany.
Anna ThußbasInstitute of Preventive Pediatrics, Technische Universität München, 80809 München, Germany.
Laura WillingerInstitute of Preventive Pediatrics, Technische Universität München, 80809 München, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-8577-4480
Renate OberhofferInstitute of Preventive Pediatrics, Technische Universität München, 80809 München, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-3166-0488
Peter EwertDepartment of Congenital Heart Disease and Pediatric Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, 80636 München, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-0253-1190
Jan MüllerInstitute of Preventive Pediatrics, Technische Universität München, 80809 München, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-7530-2025

Funding

Anneliese Pfannenberg-Stiftung no numberkinderherzen Fördergemeinschaft Deutsche Kinderherzzentren e.V. no number
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA physically active lifestyle is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health; however, access to supervised exercise programs for children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) remains limited. Although prior digital exercise interventions for this population have demonstrated safety and feasibility, adherence has often been low. Mobile health approaches integrating gamification may enhance motivation and engagement, particularly among young "digital natives." FOOTLOOSE is an app-based home exercise program developed specifically for children and adolescents with CHD. This study aimed to evaluate user experience, usability, and perceived impact using a multimethod approach.

methodsChildren and adolescents aged 10-18 years with simple, moderate, or complex CHD were recruited between July and December 2025 mainly during routine outpatient visits at the TUM Klinikum Deutsches Herzzentrum. Participants used the FOOTLOOSE app in their daily lives over a two-week period. Evaluation included semi-structured qualitative interviews and standardized questionnaires assessing physical activity self-efficacy, enjoyment of physical activity (PACES-S), user experience (UEQ), and health-related quality of life (KINDL

resultsA total of 22 participants (mean age 13.4 ± 2.3 years; 54.5% female) were included. Overall, the FOOTLOOSE app was perceived positively, with participants highlighting enjoyment, intuitive usability, and personalized workout creation. Participants contributed diverse and creative suggestions for further app development, particularly regarding more advanced gamification features (e.g., games or rankings). Most participants reported self-perceived increase in physical activity during the intervention period (

conclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility and user acceptance of a gamified, app-based home exercise program for children and adolescents with CHD. User-centered feedback highlights important directions for iterative refinement, particularly regarding age-appropriate and engaging gamification elements. These findings provide a foundation for future studies evaluating long-term engagement and effectiveness in larger samples.

Indexed as

congenital heart diseasegamificationhealth promotionmobile healthpediatric cardiology

Identifiers

PMID42188085
PMCPMC13207293

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.