Improve Heart Failure Self-care Research Articles

Patient-Centered mHealth Intervention to Improve Self-Care in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Phase 1 Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common causes of hospital readmission in the United States. These hospitalizations are often driven by insufficient self-care. Commercial mobile health (mHealth) technologies, such as consumer-grade apps and wearable devices, offer opportunities for improving HF self-care, but their efficacy remains largely underexplored. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and preliminary efficacy of a patient-centered mHealth intervention (iCardia4HF) that integrates 3 consumer mHealth apps and devices (Heart Failure Health Storylines, Fitbit, and Withings) with a program of individually tailored SMS text messages to improve HF self-care. Methods We conducted a phase 1 randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients had stage C HF, were aged ≥40 years, and had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I, II, or III HF. Patients were randomly assigned to either iCardia4HF plus usual care or to usual care only and were observed for 8 weeks. Key feasibility measures were recruitment and retention rates. The primary efficacy outcome was change in HF self-care subscale scores (maintenance, symptom perception, and self-care management) at 8 weeks, assessed with the Self-Care Heart Failure Index (SCHFI; version 7.2). Key secondary outcomes were modifiable behaviors targeted by the intervention (health beliefs, self-efficacy, and HF knowledge), health status, and adherence to daily self-monitoring of 2 core vital signs (body weight and blood pressure). Results A total of 27 patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to iCardia4HF (n=13, 48%) or usual care (n=14, 52%). Of these 27 patients, 11 (41%) in the intervention group (iCardia4HF) and 14 (52%) in the usual care group started their assigned care and were included in the full analysis. Patients’ mean age was 56 (SD 8.3) years, 44% (11/25) were female, 92% (23/25) self-reported race as Black, 76% (19/25) had NYHA class II or III HF, and 60% (15/25) had HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Participant retention, completion of study visits, and adherence to using the mHealth apps and devices for daily self-monitoring were high (>80%). At 8 weeks, the mean group differences in changes in the SCHFI subscale scores favored the intervention over the control group: maintenance (Cohen d=0.19, 95% CI –0.65 to 1.02), symptom perception (Cohen d=0.33, 95% CI –0.51 to 1.17), and self-care management (Cohen d=0.25, 95% CI –0.55 to 1.04). The greatest improvements in terms of effect size were observed in self-efficacy (Cohen d=0.68) and health beliefs about medication adherence (Cohen d=0.63) and self-monitoring adherence (Cohen d=0.94). There were no adverse events due to the intervention. Conclusions iCardia4HF was found to be feasible, acceptable, and safe. A larger trial with a longer follow-up duration is warranted to examine its efficacy among patients with HF. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03642275; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03642275

Outcomes of a tailored self-care intervention for patients with heart failure and major depression: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDepression is a recognized barrier to heart failure self-care, but there has been little research on interventions to improve heart failure self-care in depressed patients. ObjectivesTo investigate the outcomes of an individually tailored self-care intervention for patients with heart failure and major depression, and to determine whether the adequacy of self-care at baseline, the severity of depression or anxiety, or other factors affect the outcomes of this intervention. DesignSecondary analysis of data from a pre-registered randomized controlled trial (NCT02997865). MethodsOutpatients with heart failure and comorbid major depression (n = 139) were randomly assigned to cognitive behavior therapy or usual care for depression. In addition, an experienced cardiac nurse provided the tailored self-care intervention to all patients in both arms of the trial starting eight weeks after randomization. Weekly self-care intervention sessions were held between Weeks 8 and 16; the frequency was tapered to biweekly or monthly between Weeks 17 and 32. The Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (v6.2) was used to assess self-care outcomes, with scores ≥70 on each of its three scales (Maintenance, Management, and Confidence) being consistent with adequate self-care. The Week 16 Maintenance scale score was the primary outcome for this analysis. ResultsAt baseline, 107 (77%) of the patients scored in the inadequate self-care range on the Maintenance scale. Between Weeks 8 and 16, Maintenance scores improved more in patients with initially inadequate than initially adequate self-care (11.9 vs. 3.2 points, p = .003). Sixty-six (48%) of the patients with initially inadequate Maintenance scores achieved scores in the adequate range by Week 32 (p < .0001). Covariate-adjusted predictors of better Maintenance outcomes included adequate Maintenance at baseline (p < .0001), higher anxiety at baseline (p < .05), and higher dosages of the self-care intervention (p < .0001). Neither treatment with cognitive behavior therapy nor less severe major depression predicted better self-care outcomes. ConclusionsDepressed patients with inadequate heart failure self-care are able to achieve clinically significant improvements in self-care with the help of an individually tailored self-care intervention. Further refinement and testing are needed to increase the intervention's potential for clinical implementation.

The Relationships Among Health Literacy, Patient Activation, and Self-Care Behaviors in Adults With Heart Failure: A Cross Sectional Study

Despite current efforts, adherence to heart failure (HF) selfcare remains suboptimal. There is a need to identify modifiable factors that promote self-care adherence. Evidence suggests that patient activation and health literacy (HL) are modifiable and may be useful for improving HF self-care. However, more research is needed to understand the influences of these variables on HF self-care. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between patient activation, health literacy, and self-care adherence in a diverse group of adults with HF. This study used a correlational, cross-sectional design. Correlation and regression tests were used to analyze associations among variables. Stratified random sampling was applied to attain a study sample that was 50% persons of color (POC). Of the 174 participants, 51% were female and 48.5% were POC with a mean age of 62 years. There was no significant relationship between HL and HF self-care adherence. There was a small, positive correlation between HL and dichotomized high/low activation levels ( r = .163; p &lt; .05). There was a small, positive correlation between patient activation and HF self-care behaviors ( r = .151; p &lt; .05). However, regression tests showed patient activation was not a predictor of selfcare ( B = 0.173, p = .064). Persons with HF may perform self-care activities when highly activated, regardless of HL status. Patient activation was not a reliable predictor of self-care adherence. More research is needed to elucidate the influence of patient activation and HL on HF self-care behaviors.

Abstract 15330: Association of Cognition With Self-Care and With Health-Related Quality of Life in Heart Failure: Does Gender Moderate the Associations?

Introduction: The associations of cognition with self-care of heart failure (HF) or with health-related quality of life (HRQL) have not been definitively established, Gender may moderate these associations. The aim of our study was to examine the associations between cognition and (1) HF self-care and (2) HRQL and explore (3) gender as a moderator. Methods: Baseline data were analyzed from a randomized trial of a cognitive intervention (N=73). A neuropsychological battery was used to assess cognition (i.e., global cognition, memory, attention, executive function, language). Self-Care of Heart Failure Index and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure were used to assess self-care (i.e., maintenance, management, perception, confidence) and HRQL, respectively. Moderated multiple regressions were performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro v4.1 with cognition as the independent variable, gender as the moderator, and HF self-care or HRQL as dependent variables in separate models. Covariates were age and education. Results: Participants’ characteristics were: mean age=66±12 years; mean education=14±2 years; 56% women; mean LVEF=50±14%. Average scores were: self-care maintenance=68±12, management=64±16, perception=74±16, confidence=78±13, HRQL=29±22. Better attention scores were significantly associated with better self-care confidence (b=-1.002, p=.022). Gender moderated the relationships between attention and self-care perception (p=.030). Better attention was associated with better self-care perception among women but with worse self-care perception among men. Gender moderated the relationships between memory and HRQL (p=.050) as well as executive function and HRQL (p=.041). Women’s HRQL did not differ by memory or executive function, but men with better memory or executive function had better HRQL. Conclusion: Better attention was associated with better self-care confidence in HF. Associations between attention and self-care perception, memory and HRQL, and executive function and HRQL differed by gender. Interventions are needed to improve attention, memory, and executive function that may improve HF self-care and HRQL. The effects of gender need to be considered when designing future interventions.

Depressive symptoms are mediating the relationship between non-cardiac comorbidities and self-care of heart failure

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Improving Self-Care Behavior and Outcomes in Rural Patients with Heart Failure; National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) Background Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple chronic comorbid conditions. For HF patients with non-cardiac conditions, adhering to recommended self-care regimens can be complicated because recommended regimens across those conditions can even conflict with each other. Our previous study has shown that the significant relationship between non-cardiac comorbidities and HF self-care disappeared after covariates were entered in the regression model. The lack of the direct effect of non-cardiac comorbidity on HF self-care may be due to the effects of a possible mediator. Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent to patients with heart failure and in those with multiple chronic conditions, and negatively affect patients’ adherence to self-care. Therefore, it is possible that depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between non-cardiac comorbidities and self-care. Purpose To examine the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between non-cardiac comorbidities and HF self-care in patients with HF. Methods A total of 590 patients with HF (66 years, 41% female, 35% New York Heart Association function class III/IV) were included in this study. The list of non-cardiac conditions was identified from the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Depressive symptoms were measured with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Self-care was measured with the 9-item European HF self-care behavior scale (EHFScBS). The EHFScBS scores were standardized ranging from 0-100, with higher scores indicating better self-care. The mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro program in SPSS (version 3.5) with 5000 bootstrap samples. Results Less than one-third of the patients (30.8%) had clinically significant depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 scores of 10 or greater). On average, patients had one non-cardiac comorbidity. The results of the mediation analysis were presented in the Figure. The total effect of the number of non-cardiac comorbidities on HF self-care was significant, after adjusting for covariates. The direct effect of the number of non-cardiac comorbidities on HF self-care was not significant, while the indirect effect mediated by depressive symptoms was significant. This indicate the mediation of depressive symptoms on the relationship between the number of non-cardiac comorbidities and HF self-care. Conclusion We found that the depressive symptoms are a mechanism linking non-cardiac comorbidities and HF self-care. This result indicates that depressive symptoms is a greater barrier to engaging in HF self-care than the complexity of managing non-cardiac comorbidities. Therefore, clinicians need to assess and manage depressive symptoms to improve HF self-care for HF patients with non-cardiac comorbidities.

Educational Interventions to Improve Heart Failure Self-Care

In this project, heart failure self-care skill level assessments were completed using a 3-scale instrument at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. Each assessment was followed by self-care educational interventions consisting of disease literacy, symptom monitoring, a management plan, lifestyle changes, and an action plan. The initial scores for self-care maintenance, symptom perception, and self-care management scales were 67.3, 57.4, and 50.5, respectively. The scores at 3 weeks were 79.2, 69.7, and 65.7, and at 6 weeks, they were 89.1, 81.8, and 79.8. The results suggest that educational interventions led to clinically relevant changes and adequate levels of heart failure self-care skills.

A digital self-care intervention for Ugandan patients with heart failure and their clinicians: User-centred design and usability study.

BackgroundThe prevalence of heart failure (HF) is increasing in Uganda. Ugandan patients with HF report receiving limited information about their illness and associated self-care behaviours. Interventions targeted at improving HF self-care have been shown to improve patient quality of life and reduce hospitalizations in high-income countries. However, such interventions remain underutilized in resource-limited settings like Uganda. This study aimed to develop a digital health intervention that enables improved self-care amongst HF patients in Uganda.MethodsWe implemented a user-centred design (UCD) process to develop a self-care intervention entitled Medly Uganda. The ideation phase comprised a scoping review and preliminary data collection amongst HF patients and clinicians in Uganda. An iterative design process was then used to advance an initial prototype into a functional digital health intervention. The evaluation phase involved usability testing of the intervention amongst Ugandan patients with HF and their clinicians.ResultsMedly Uganda is a digital health intervention that allows patients to report daily HF symptoms, receive tailored treatment advice and connect with a clinician when showing signs of decompensation. The system harnesses Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology that is already widely used in Uganda for mobile phone-based financial transactions. Usability testing showed Medly Uganda to be both acceptable and feasible amongst clinicians, patients and caregivers.ConclusionsMedly Uganda is a functional digital health intervention with demonstrated acceptability and feasibility in enabling Ugandan HF patients to better care for themselves. We are hopeful that the system will improve self-care efficacy amongst HF patients in Uganda.

Effectiveness of a nurse-led temporal self-regulation theory-based program on heart failure self-care: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHeart failure self-care is crucial for sustainable heart failure management but its adherence remains poor worldwide. Despite having an intention to change, individuals often face difficulties in modifying existing lifestyle habits and sustaining change motivations. ObjectivesTo examine the effectiveness of a novel theory-driven nurse-led self-regulation program on improving heart failure self-care behaviours, future-thinking and behavioural automaticity. DesignA two-arm randomized controlled trial. Settings & Participants144 patients with heart failure were recruited from September 2018 to July 2019 at a tertiary hospital in Singapore. MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to a self-regulation intervention (n = 72) or usual care group (n = 72). The three-month intervention was developed based on the temporal self-regulation theory and consisted of one face-to-face session, a print booklet and three reinforcement telephone follow-ups at week 3, 6 and 9. Outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), immediate after a three-month intervention (T1) and a further three-month follow-up (T2). heart failure self-care was measured using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) maintenance subscale, future-thinking was measured using the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFCS) and behaviour automaticity was measured using the Self-Reported Behavioural Automaticity Index (SRBAI). The outcomes were compared between groups by using generalized estimating equations (GEE) based on intention-to-treat principle. ResultsNo significant differences were found between the groups at baseline except for age. Participants were on average 61 years old, men (79.2%), had mild heart failure symptoms (50.7%) and had three comorbidities (66.0% dyslipidaemia; 65.3% hypertension; 61.8% history of myocardial infarction). Baseline scores indicated poor heart failure self-care (52.9±17.2, cut off ≥70). GEE results showed significantly higher heart failure self-care improvements in intervention group than control group at both T1 (regression coefficient, B = 13.9, 95% CI: 8.02 to 19.9, p < 0.001) and T2 (B = 8.34, 95% CI: 1.68 to 15.0, p = 0.014) after adjusting for gender, living alone, education level, comorbidity and age. Results also showed significantly higher increase in future-thinking (B[95% CI]=0.694[.123, 1.26], p = 0.017) and behaviour automaticity (B[95% CI]=0.656[.085, 1.23], p = 0.024) at T1 and only increase in behaviour automaticity (B[95% CI]=0.674[.099, 1.25], p = 0.022) at T2. However, only the differences in self-care scores at T1 remained significant after Bonferroni correction. No significant differences were found for intention, quality of life and clinical biomarkers. ConclusionsThe program was effective in improving heart failure self-care and has potential for clinical implementation and generalisation to other chronic illnesses. Longer follow-up study is needed to uncover its long-term benefits on clinical outcomes.

Patient, caregiving partner, and clinician recommendations for improving heart failure care in the Veterans Health Administration.

Heart Failure (HF) care requires substantial care coordination between patients, patients' informal caregivers, and clinicians, but few studies have examined recommendations from all three perspectives. The objective of this study was to understand and identify shared recommendations to improve HF self-care from the perspective of VA persons with HF, their caregiving partners, and clinicians. Secondary data analysis from a study of semi-structured interviews with 16 couples (persons with HF and their caregiving partners) and 13 clinicians (physicians, nurses, other specialists) from a large Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. Interviews were double-coded, and analyzed for themes around commonly used or recommended self-care strategies. Three themes emerged: (1) Couples and clinicians believe that improvements are still needed to existing HF education, especially the need to be tailored to learning style and culture, (2) Couples and clinicians believe that technology can facilitate better HF self-care, and (3) Couples and clinicians believe that caregiving partners are part of the self-care team, and should be involved in care management to support the person with HF. Recommendations from couples and clinicians address barriers to HF self-care and encourage patient-centered care.

Applying the COM-B behaviour model to overcome barriers to heart failure self-care: A practical application of a conceptual framework for the development of complex interventions (ACHIEVE study).

Effective interventions to enhance adherence to self-care recommendations in patients with heart failure have immense potential to improve health and wellbeing. However, there is substantial inconsistency in the effectiveness of existing self-management interventions, partly because they lack theoretical models underpinning intervention development. To outline how the capability, opportunity and motivation behaviour model has been applied to guide the development of a theory-based intervention aiming to improve adherence to heart failure self-care recommendations. The application of the capability, opportunity and motivation behaviour model involved three steps: (a) identification of barriers and facilitators to heart failure self-care from two comprehensive meta-studies; (b) identification of appropriate behaviour change techniques to improve heart failure self-care; and (c) involvement of experts to reduce and refine potential behaviour change techniques further. A total of 119 barriers and facilitators were identified. Fifty-six behaviour change techniques remained after applying three steps of the behaviour model for designing interventions. Expert involvement (n=39, of which 31 were patients (67% men; 45% New York Heart Association II)) further reduced and refined potential behaviour change techniques. Experts disliked some behaviour change techniques such as 'anticipated regret' and 'salience of consequences'. This process resulted in a final comprehensive list consisting of 28 barriers and 49 appropriate behaviour change techniques potentially enhancing self-care that was put forward for further use. The application of the capability, opportunity and motivation behaviour model facilitated identifying important factors influencing adherence to heart failure self-care recommendations. The model served as a comprehensive guide for the selection and design of interventions for improving heart failure self-care adherence. The capability, opportunity and motivation behaviour model enabled the connection of heart failure self-care barriers to particular behaviour change techniques to be used in practice.

The role of health literacy, depression, disease knowledge, and self-efficacy in self-care among adults with heart failure: An updated model

BackgroundPatients with inadequate health literacy and heart failure face high healthcare costs, more hospitalizations, and greater mortality. To address these negative consequences, patients need to improve heart failure self-care. Multiple factors may influence self-care, but the exact model by which they do so is not fully understood. ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine a model exploring the contribution of health literacy, depression, disease knowledge, and self-efficacy to the performance of heart failure self-care. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, patients were recruited from a heart failure clinic and completed validated assessments of their cognition, health literacy, depression, knowledge, self-efficacy and self-care. Patients were separated into two groups according to their health literacy level: inadequate/marginal and adequate. Differences between groups were assessed with an independent t-test. Hypothesized paths and mediated relationships were estimated and tested using observed variable path analysis. ResultsParticipants (n = 100) were mainly male (67%), white (93%), and at least had a high school education (85%). Health literacy was associated with disease knowledge (path coefficient=0.346, p = 0.002), depression was negatively associated with self-efficacy (path coefficient=-0.211, p = 0.037), self-efficacy was positively associated with self-care (path coefficient=0.402, p<0.0005), and there was evidence that self-efficacy mediated the link between depression and self-care. There was no evidence of: mediation of the link between health literacy and self-care by knowledge or self-efficacy; positive associations between knowledge and self-efficacy or self-care; or mediation of the disease knowledge and self-care relationship by self-efficacy. Further, depression was associated with self-care indirectly rather than also directly as hypothesized. ConclusionsSelf-efficacy and depression are associated with heart failure self-care. Data generated from the model suggest that healthcare professionals should actively engage all patients to gain self-efficacy and address depression to positively affect heart failure self-care.

Heart Failure Self-care Associated With Brain Injury in Executive Control Regions.

Inadequate self-care is linked to poor health outcomes in heart failure (HF). Self-care depends on decision-making abilities, but links between self-care and brain injury to executive decision-making regulatory areas (prefrontal cortices) are unclear. We investigated the relationships between HF self-care and status of prefrontal cortices. Magnetic resonance imaging-based diffusion tensor imaging was performed in 21 patients with HF (age, 53.8 ± 7.9 years; 15 men; left ventricular ejection fraction, 25.1% ± 6.1%), and self-care and executive function were measured with the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) and Trail Making Test B. Using diffusion tensor imaging data, mean diffusivity (MD) maps were calculated and region-of-interest analyses were performed on the left and right prefrontal brain areas. Statistical analyses consisted of partial correlations (covariates, age, and gender). The mean ± SD SCHFI scores were 70.78 ± 11.37 for maintenance, 70 ± 17.32 for management, and 74.91 ± 15.76 for confidence. The mean ± SD Trail Making Test B score was 90.2 ± 73.3 seconds. The mean ± SD MD values (higher values indicate tissue injury) of the left and right prefrontal cortices were 1.46 ± 0.16 (×10 mm/s) and 1.44 ± 0.14 (×10 mm/s), respectively. Significant negative correlations emerged between prefrontal MD values and SCHFI maintenance (left/right, r = -0.64/-0.70; P < .003) and SCHFI management (r = -0.93/-0.86; P < .003). Significant positive correlations were observed between prefrontal MD values and Trail Making Test B (r = 0.71/0.74; P < .001). A nonsignificant correlation emerged between prefrontal MD values and SCHFI confidence scores. Brain tissue integrity in executive function regulatory regions is associated with HF self-care for maintenance and management. The findings indicate that protection and brain injury repair in executive control areas may improve HF self-care.

Identifying critical success factors in Heart Failure Self-Care using fuzzy DEMATEL method

Heart failure (HF) has become a global public health issue due to its high prevalence and the significant cost of treatment. Today, one of the major challenges faced by clinicians is understanding the complex HF self-care process to develop suitable interventions. The self-care process of maintaining physiologic stability and manage the disease symptoms of HF patients is influenced by several factors, complicating the process for patients, caregivers and managers. In this research, the objective was to reduce the complexity of HF self-care process and to optimize it as a critical success factor (CSFs). Therefore, fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method were used to identify CSFs in HF self-care in an uncertain environment. Based on the literature review on HF self-care, 10 factors were identified as affecting HF self-care. A questionnaire, specifically designed for double-sided comparison DEMATEL Technique, covered these factors. Four experts were selected t evaluation using snowball sampling method. These experts assessed the direct associations between influential factors in HF self-care. The initial assessments were then turned into triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs), and group opinions were fused; thus, the total relation matrix with TFNs elements was obtained. Defuzzification of the fuzzy total relation matrix was performed by converting fuzzy data into crisp scores (CFCS). After extracting the results of the model, influential factors were categorized as cause or effect, with cause factors identified as CSFs in HF self-care. Five influential factors were identified as CSFs by the proposed method, including F4 (cultural beliefs and values) > F9 (improving patient’s self-efficacy and ensuring HF self-care by patients (expecting proper self-care and long-term effort to maintain HF self-care)) > F7 (family and friends support and social relation network to support patients with HF) > F8 (easy access to care (regular outpatient clinic visits with a professional HF nurse and easy access to care in order to support HF self-care, guidance and training)) > F6 (confidence of patients and caregivers regarding HF self-care). Based on the results of this study, the optimization of HF self-care can be efficiently simplified into optimizing five CSFs. Therefore, to improve HF self-care process, it is suggested that decision makers and managers in the design of interventions focus on these five factors as CSFs, particularly under conditions with limited resources.

The suitability of motivational interviewing versus cognitive behavioural interventions on improving self-care in patients with heart failure: A literature review and discussion paper

BackgroundChronic heart failure remains a major public health concern due to its high prevalence and disease burden. Although self-care has been advocated as the sustainable solution, it remains inadequate. Recent studies have shown the potential of integrating structured counselling elements into traditional educational programs to enhance self-care but the optimal counselling method remains unclear. AimTo compare the applicability of cognitive behavioural interventions and motivational interviewing on improving self-care behaviours in patients with chronic heart failure. MethodA systematic three-step search strategy was used to identify studies that incorporated cognitive behavioural interventions and/or motivational interviewing to improve heart failure self-care. Quantitative and qualitative trial studies that met the inclusion criteria were appraised using the Joanna Brigg's Institute criteria. ResultsMotivational interviewing showed higher potential in improving HF self-care behaviours, but sustainability remains unclear. Cognitive behavioural interventions only showed effectiveness when applied to patients with comorbid depressive symptoms. Statistically significant results were only elucidated upon statistical adjustments and examination of behaviours individually. Potential effective components of CBI include setting up environmental reminders, addressing misconceptions and skills-training while that of MI was the communication style. ConclusionMI and CBI could be used synergistically by extracting their key effective components to strengthen the intention-behaviour link in improving HF self-care behaviours. MI could be used to enhance the intention to change by evoking ambivalence and change talk. CBI could be used to enhance problem-solving skills and set environmental reminders to strengthen the translation of intention to behaviour.

Family Caregiver Strain and Likelihood of Heart Failure Patient Clinical Events: A Replication Study

Introduction Higher caregiver strain was identified as a predictor of lower patient clinical event-risk in a previous analysis of Italian heart failure (HF) patient-caregiver dyads. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether this trade-off in patient and caregiver outcomes was culturally bound, or replicable in a North American sample. Hypothesis We hypothesized that, similar to the Italian study, higher strain in North American caregivers would predict lower patient event-risk. Methods This was a secondary analysis of data from a 3-arm (usual care, patient-family education, and family partnership intervention) randomized controlled trial to improve HF self-care. Data collection occurred pre-intervention and 4 and 8 months post-intervention. Caregiver strain was measured pre-intervention using the 15-item Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Survey (BCOS: range 15-105, higher scores indicate more positive outcomes related to caregiving), and tertiles were used to divide caregivers into low, moderate, or high strain for analysis. Generalized linear regression was used to examine caregiver strain as a predictor of the likelihood of having any event (HF hospitalization, HF emergency room visit, or all-cause mortality) over time, controlling for intervention group and recent HF hospitalization (previous 4 months). Results All patients (n=92) were NYHA Class II or III, with the majority being Class II (n=68, 73.9%). Patients and caregivers were in their mid-fifties on average (56.3±10.1 and 53.4±12.4 years, respectively) and racially diverse (n=58, 63.0% and n=59, 64.8% African American, respectively), with most patients being male (n=57, 62.0%) and most caregivers being female (n=75, 84.2%). The most common dyad type was spousal (n=40, 44.0%). Over the 8 months, 28 patients were hospitalized, 6 had an emergency room visit and 6 died. The average BCOS scores for the low, moderate, and high strain groups were 82.9±12.5 (range 66-105), 61.1±1.6 (range 60-65), and 52.1±7.4 (range 31-59), respectively. There was no difference in events by intervention group. High caregiver strain (as compared to low strain) was associated with 91.9% lower likelihood of the patient having an event over 8 months follow-up (OR=0.081, 95%CI=0.008-0.850, p=0.036). There was no significant difference in event-risk by moderate caregiver strain. Conclusions Similar to previous findings in an Italian cohort, higher caregiver strain predicted lower HF patient clinical event-risk in this North American sample. Patient event-risk reductions may come with a cost for the family caregiver - a cost that has known sequelae (morbidity, mortality) and must be assessed and addressed.

A systematic review of the main mechanisms of heart failure disease management interventions

ObjectiveTo identify the main mechanisms of heart failure (HF) disease management programmes based in hospitals, homes or the community.MethodsSystematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies using realist synthesis. The search...

Improving Heart Failure Self-care Through a Community-Based Skill-Building Intervention: A Study Protocol.

Self-care is the cornerstone of heart failure (HF) management. Numerous approaches to improving HF self-care, which involves adherence to the treatment plan, routine symptom monitoring, and the response to symptoms when they occur, have been developed with little impact on HF outcomes. On the basis of HF practice recommendations that patients receive education and counseling that emphasizes self-care and targets skill building of critical target behaviors, we are conducting a clinical trial designed to improve self-care among community-dwelling older adults using an innovative group-based, skill-building approach led by a trained health educator. This article describes the study design and research methods used to implement and evaluate the intervention. The study uses a staggered randomized controlled design to assess feasibility of providing an HF self-care intervention in a community group setting to improve HF self-care, knowledge, and health-related quality of life at 1 and 3 months. A community engagement approach is used to partner with the community throughout all phases of the project. Seventy-five older adults with HF are randomly assigned to the intervention consisting of six to eight 60-minute sessions held in community senior centers or to the wait-list control group. Focus groups are used to elicit feedback on the participants' experience in the program. Preliminary study participation data (n=60; women, 48%; black, 27%; Hispanic, 32%; mean [SD] age, 70 [10] years) and focus group feedback suggest that the delivery approach is feasible and acceptable, and the participants are very satisfied with the program. Implementation of a community-based HF self-care intervention delivered in partnership with established community-based centers is an innovative approach to intervention. If efficacy is demonstrated, this intervention has far-reaching implications for helping the growing population of HF patients in ethnically diverse communities.

PROspective MEmory Training to improve HEart failUre Self-care (PROMETHEUS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundCognitive impairment is seen in up to three quarters of heart failure (HF) patients and has a significant negative impact on patients’ health outcomes. Prospective memory, which is defined as memory to carry out future intentions, is important for functional independence in older adults and involves application of multiple cognitive processes that are often impaired in HF patients. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of prospective memory training on patients’ engagement in HF self-care and health outcomes, carer strain and quality of life.Methods/designThe proposed study is a randomised, controlled trial in which 200 patients diagnosed with HF, and their carers will be recruited from 3 major hospitals across Melbourne. Eligible patients with HF will be randomised to receive either: 1) The Virtual Week Training Program - a computerised prospective memory (PM) training program (intervention) or 2) non-adaptive computer-based word puzzles (active control). HF patients’ baseline cognitive function will be compared to a healthy control group (n = 60) living independently in the community. Patients will undergo a comprehensive assessment of PM, neuropsychological functioning, self-care, physical, and emotional functioning. Assessments will take place at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 months following intervention. Carers will complete measures assessing quality of life, strain, perceived control in the management of the patients’ HF symptoms, and ratings of the patients’ level of engagement in HF self-care behaviours.DiscussionIf the Virtual Week Training Program is effective in improving: 1) prospective memory; 2) self-care behaviours, and 3) wellbeing in HF patients, this study will enhance our understanding of impaired cognitive processes in HF and potentially is a mechanism to reduce healthcare costs.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry #366376; 27 May 2014. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366376&isClinicalTrial=False.

An integrative review of interventions promoting self‐care of patients with heart failure

To examine the interventions used to improve self-care of heart failure patients. The specific objectives were to examine the efficacy of interventions to improve heart failure self-care (self-maintenance and self-management behaviours) and patient-related factors such as knowledge about heart failure, self-efficacy for heart failure self-care (confidence) and beliefs regarding heart failure self-care. Despite the significant advances in the treatment and management of heart failure, there continues to be poor patient outcomes associated with this clinical syndrome. An integrative review. A search of MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Cochrane data base of clinical trials and the cumulative index of nursing and allied health literature (CINAHL) databases was conducted using 14 search terms for a period from 2000-2010. Hand searching of reference lists and author lists was also conducted. Nineteen eligible self-care intervention studies were included in this review. Cognitive-behavioural intervention mechanisms were most frequently used to improve patient's heart failure self-care. In the majority of the studies, the interventions demonstrated efficacy by improving heart failure patients' self-care maintenance and management behaviours. Intervention group subjects, in the majority of studies, had significantly higher levels of knowledge pertaining to heart failure and heart failure related self-care. Based on these findings, there are improved patient outcomes when standard patient education for heart failure is augmented using cognitive-behavioural strategies that include additional evidence-based education and counselling.

A Motivational Counseling Approach to Improving Heart Failure Self-Care

Self-care is an integral component of successful heart failure (HF) management. Engaging patients in self-care can be challenging. Fifteen patients with HF enrolled during hospitalization received a motivational intervention designed to improve HF self-care. A mixed method, pretest posttest design was used to evaluate the proportion of patients in whom the intervention was beneficial and the mechanism of effectiveness. Participants received, on average, 3.0 +/- 1.5 home visits (median 3, mode 3, range 1-6) over a three-month period from an advanced practice nurse trained in motivational interviewing and family counseling. Quantitative and qualitative data were used to judge individual patients in whom the intervention produced a clinically significant improvement in HF self-care. Audiotaped intervention sessions were analyzed using qualitative methods to assess the mechanism of intervention effectiveness. Congruence between quantitative and qualitative judgments of improved self-care revealed that 71.4% of participants improved in self-care after receiving the intervention. Analysis of transcribed intervention sessions revealed themes of 1) communication (reflective listening, empathy); 2) making it fit (acknowledging cultural beliefs, overcoming barriers and constraints, negotiating an action plan); and, 3) bridging the transition from hospital to home (providing information, building skills, activating support resources). An intervention that incorporates the core elements of motivational interviewing may be effective in improving HF self-care, but further research is needed.