Future-Focused Thinking to Support Blood Thinner Use in Atrial Fibrillation
Tests episodic future thinking to help adults with atrial fibrillation take blood thinners.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Episodic Future Thinking to Improve Anticoagulant Adherence in Atrial Fibrillation
Key facts
- Where
- Guangzhou, ChinaSee the 2 sites
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with atrial fibrillation who take, or have taken, blood-thinning tablets (oral anticoagulants). It tests a 3-week thinking exercise to help them take their medicine regularly.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- Men and women
- Disease stage
- Atrial fibrillation diagnosed under the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation, with a clinically stable condition.
- Earlier treatment
- Must be using, or have used, oral anticoagulants.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Severe damage to major organ systems or end-stage disease
- Significant vision or hearing problems
- Documented problems with thinking or memory (cognitive dysfunction)
- Psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- Cannot use the WeChat mobile app
Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Where in China
- Guangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangzhou, ChinaContact: Jiawen YouNo longer taking part
- the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou, ChinaContact: Jiawen YouNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Jiawen You
- Trial code
- NCT07174778
- Record updated
- 16 September 2025
- Original description
The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) on improving medication adherence in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients taking oral anticoagulants. A total of 68 participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group. Those in the intervention group will receive a 3-week EFT intervention in addition to the usual care, while those in the control group will receive the usual care only. Data on medication adherence, delay discounting (DD), and anticoagulation knowledge will be collected at baseline, end of intervention, and 3-month follow-up.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Effects of Episodic Future Thinking in Promoting Adherence to Anticoagulation Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: a Randomized Controlled Trail
The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) on improving medication adherence in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients taking oral anticoagulants. A total of 68 participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group. Those in the intervention group will receive a 3-week EFT intervention in addition to the usual care, while those in the control group will receive the usual care only. Data on medication adherence, delay discounting (DD), and anticoagulation knowledge will be collected at baseline, end of intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
Inclusion: Meets diagnostic criteria for atrial fibrillation per the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation, with clinically stable condition; Current or previous use of oral anticoagulants; Age ≥18 years; Capable of using WeChat mobile application; Willing to provide informed consent.
Exclusion: Comorbid severe impairment of major organ systems or end-stage disease; Documented cognitive dysfunction or psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder); Significant visual or auditory impairments.