Effect of Daily Activity Record-Based Self-monitoring Intervention on the Perception of Physical Sensations in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

To prevent rehospitalization for heart failure (HF), patients need to be able to perceive physical changes that occur at the onset of HF exacerbation and seek early help. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a self-monitoring intervention on patients' perceptions of physical sensations during daily activities in the context of HF via a randomized controlled trial. Participants (N = 70) were randomly assigned to the intervention (received daily activity record-based self-monitoring intervention support; group A) or control (only explained the measured results from the records; group B) group. Group A reflected on and described the physical sensations in their daily activities within 1 month after discharge. Outcome measures were assessed at 1 month after the intervention using the European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale, Evaluation Scale for Self-Monitoring by patients with Heart Failure, clinical events, physical activity, and sleep. There was no significant difference in the change in the "asking for help" subscale score of the European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale between the groups (+0.7 vs +0.4 points, P = .716). Group A had improved score on the self-monitoring subscale related to "concern about how movements affect body" from baseline (from 12.7 to 14.0 points, P = .026). There was no significant effect of self-monitoring intervention support on the first rehospitalization related to HF and all-cause death (log-rank χ2 = 0.432, P = .511). A significant difference in moderate-intensity physical activity between the groups was observed (+4.6 vs -0.5 minutes, P = .029). A focused strategy that enables patients to perceive their physical sensations and promotes early help-seeking behavior is needed.