Research so far on this course ...
We have conducted 1 trial of this course
More than 30 participants have enrolled in this course
We have 1 upcoming publication evaluating this course
Momentum Course
Background
The Momentum Course is a free, internet-delivered program for people living with cardiovascular conditions, or those at increased risk of developing these conditions, who also experience poor emotional health such as stress, anxiety, low mood, or depression.
We know that many people with cardiovascular conditions face challenges not only with their physical health, but also with their emotional wellbeing. These difficulties can make it difficult to maintain important health-promoting behaviours, such as being physically active, and maintaining a high-quality diet. Research shows that improving both these health-promoting behaviours and emotional wellbeing can bring meaningful benefits for cardiovascular health and overall quality of life.
The Momentum Course has been designed to provide good, evidence-based information and to teach practical skills for improving both heart-healthy behaviours and emotional wellbeing. The strategies included are based on current models of health behaviour change, habit theory, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
We developed the Course with the hope of making these skills and strategies more accessible. We hope the Course will help people build healthy habits, improve their emotional wellbeing, and better manage their cardiovascular health.
Who is the course suitable for?
The course is suitable for:
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Aged 18 and older and living in Australia
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Who have been diagnosed by a doctor with a cardiovascular disease (CVD; such as a previous heart attack or stroke, heart disease, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation);
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Or have a condition that increases the risk of developing CVD (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated waist circumference or weight, diabetes or pre-diabetes, chronic kidney disease, etc);
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Who have symptoms of anxiety or depression;
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Who want to learn information and skills to help improve their healthy habits (physical activity and/or diet quality) and their emotional wellbeing;
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Whose health condition is medically managed by a doctor.
Unfortunately, we cannot include people who are currently suicidal or have a more immediate medical condition requiring medical management. We also cannot include people who do not have access to the Internet or a tablet or laptop device.
We also strongly recommend people discuss their participation in this Course with their GP and other doctors. Maintaining a good working relationship with your doctors is essential when you have a cardiovascular condition or risk, and they can help you decide whether this program is going to be suitable for you.
What does the course involve?
The course involves:
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An initial phone assessment to confirm suitability
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Four online modules that provide important information and teach skills for forming and maintaining healthy habits, and about tackling common challenges
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DIY exercises to help you understand and practice those skills
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Brief contact with a psychologist via email and telephone.
The Momentum Course aims to provide information and skills that you would normally receive from seeing a psychologist within a cardiovascular service. However, because many people cannot access this service, we are developing and testing this internet-delivered course - our goal is to make it as helpful as possible and to make it freely and widely available.
What have we found so far?
We first trialled the Momentum Course in 2025-2026 with a diverse group of participants. Our study found that:
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The Course was feasible, acceptable, and safe
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Participants were satisfied by the Course
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Participants reported improvements in their diet quality, physical activity, mood and anxiety levels
What is the current trial or study looking at?
Every time we offer a course, we offer it as a part of a trial or study. This means that participants are helping us to answer an important research question while they participate in our courses.
In this second trial of the Momentum Course, we want to examine the effectiveness and helpfulness of the Momentum Course in helping people with cardiovascular disease or risk and poor emotional wellbeing improve important health-promoting behaviours, alongside their emotional wellbeing.
We expect that participants will find the Course acceptable, engaging, and worth their time.
You can read more about the current trial by reading the Participant Information and Consent Form Statement.
When is the next course being offered?
We are planning to begin the second trial of the Momentum Course in September 2026, and we will start taking applications soon. If you are interested in participating, please click on the Register Now button below. We will then email you as soon as the Course becomes available.