Abstract
This article describes the development of the “Time to Change Your Behavior” (TTCYB) study protocol, a theory-based, tailored print message intervention to improve compliance with the self-care regimen in patients with cardiovascular diseases. A design with a baseline measurement and two follow-ups at six and 12 months will be applied. At baseline and the six-month follow-up, patients will complete self-report questionnaires evaluating lifestyle habits and socio-demographic and psychological variables; at the 12-month follow-up, patients will answer a telephone interview assessing lifestyle habits. After the baseline measurement, patients will be randomized into one of three groups: (1) the tailored group, which will receive tailored health brochures; (2) the “non-tailored” group, which will receive non-tailored health brochures; or (3) the usual care group, which will receive no print information materials. The effectiveness of the intervention will be assessed through patients’ judgments of the brochures and changes in lifestyle. The role of socio-demographic and psychological variables as potential moderators of the materials’ effectiveness will be explored. If the TTCYB is efficacious, it will have implications for the design and implementation of tailored communication programs. Concepts from this study can be potentially extended to primary prevention among high-risk groups.
Highlights
Mortality statistics show that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common causes of death in Europe, accounting for 45% of all deaths
Several guidelines for the detection and management of CVDs consider lifestyle behavior change a best practice for avoiding poor outcomes related to disease severity and concurrent comorbid risk factors [2,3,4,5,6], but patients often fail to change their unhealthy habits [7,8,9]
Tailored print communication based on the needs, preferences, and personal characteristics of the target is an example of a communication approach that has attempted to
Summary
Mortality statistics show that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common causes of death in Europe, accounting for 45% of all deaths. With 1.4 million of these deaths before the age of 75 [1]. Several guidelines for the detection and management of CVDs consider lifestyle behavior change a best practice for avoiding poor outcomes related to disease severity and concurrent comorbid risk factors [2,3,4,5,6], but patients often fail to change their unhealthy habits [7,8,9]. Education about lifestyle change is a priority for patients’ health [10], and strategically designed and delivered health communication interventions offer promising strategies for promoting healthier behaviors. Tailored print communication based on the needs, preferences, and personal characteristics of the target is an example of a communication approach that has attempted to
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