Mechanisms of change in self-care in adults with heart failure receiving a tailored, motivational interviewing intervention

Effects of dyadic care interventions for heart failure on patients' and caregivers' outcomes: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

BACKGROUND

The contemporary model for managing heart failure has been extended to a patient-family caregiver dyadic context. However, the key characteristics of the model that can optimise health outcomes for both patients and caregivers remain to be investigated.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the effects of dyadic care interventions on the behavioural, health, and health-service utilisation outcomes of patients with heart failure and their family caregivers and to explore how the intervention design characteristics influence these outcomes.

DESIGN

This study involved systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression techniques.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, using 12 databases to identify randomised controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies published in English or Chinese between database inception and 31 December 2022. The considered interventions included those targeting patients with heart failure and their family caregivers to enhance disease management. Data synthesis was performed on various patient- and caregiver-related outcomes. The identified interventions were categorised according to their design characteristics for subgroup analysis. Meta-regression was performed to explore the relationship between care delivery methods and their effectiveness.

RESULTS

We identified 48 studies representing 9171 patient-caregiver dyads. Meta-analyses suggested the positive effects of dyadic care interventions on patients' health outcomes [Hedges' g (95 % confidence interval {CI}): heart failure knowledge = 1.0 (0.26, 1.75), p = 0.008; self-care confidence = 0.45 (0.08, 0.83), p = 0.02; self-care maintenance = 1.12 (0.55, 1.70), p < 0.001; self-care management = 1.01 (0.54, 1.49), p < 0.001; anxiety = -0.18 (-0.34, -0.02), p = 0.03; health-related quality of life = 0.30 (0.08, 0.51), p < 0.001; hospital admission (risk ratio {95 % CI}: hospital admission = 0.79 (0.65, 0.97), p = 0.007; and mortality = 0.58 (0.36, 0.93), p = 0.02)]. Dyadic care interventions also improved the caregivers' outcomes [Hedges' g (95 % CI): social support = 0.67 (0.01, 1.32), p = 0.05; perceived burden = -1.43 (-2.27, -0.59), p < 0.001]. Although the design of the identified care interventions was heterogeneous, the core care components included enabling and motivational strategies to improve self-care, measures to promote collaborative coping within the care dyads, and nurse-caregiver collaborative practice. Incorporating the first two core components appeared to enhance the behavioural and health outcomes of the patients, and the addition of the last component reduced readmission. Interventions that engaged both patients and caregivers in care provision, offered access to nurses, and optimised continuity of care led to better patient outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that dyadic care interventions can effectively improve disease management in a family context, resulting in better health outcomes for both patients and caregivers. Additionally, this study provides important insights into the more-effective design characteristics of these interventions.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

The review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022322492).

Predictors of self-care behaviors in individuals with heart failure in Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To identify the predictors of self-care behaviors in individuals with heart failure.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study including 405 patients with heart failure. Self-care behaviors were assessed by the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were investigated as predictors of self-care maintenance, management and confidence through logistic regressions.

RESULTS

The predictors of self-care maintenance were number of children (p<0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.01), positive feeling about disease (p=0.03), obesity (p=0.02) and dialytic chronic kidney disease (p<0.01). The predictors of self-care management were having married children (p<0.01) and sleep apnea (p<0.01). The predictors of self-care confidence were family income (p<0.01), number of hospitalizations in the previous 12 months (p=0.01), number of daily medication doses (p<0.01) and sedentarism (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Some predictors related to the self-care behaviors were found, so some intensified education and social aid should be aimed at patients with these specific characteristics.

Employee Perceptions of an Established Health and Wellness Coaching Program to Improve Behavior

OBJECTIVE

There is limited evidence, particularly qualitative analysis, of health and wellness interventions within the South African workplace. The purpose of this study is to explore whether health and wellness coaching when offered as part of an employee wellness program has potential for developing lifestyle change in a South African workplace.

METHODS

There were four, 45-minute focus group discussions, where employees discussed their experiences of the workplace health and wellness intervention program.

RESULTS

Main categories identified from the coding of the transcripts were purpose of the health and wellness coaching program, as well as employees' program experience and improvement to the program. Common barriers to engagement, positive and negative experiences, and suggested improvements were defined by the employees.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlighted the need of understanding employee perceptions in the development and implementation of a workplace health and wellness program.

A multicomponent complex intervention for supportive follow-up of persons with chronic heart failure: a randomized controlled pilot study (the UTILE project)

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease associated with a high burden of symptoms, high morbidity and mortality, and low quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and potential outcomes of a novel multicomponent complex intervention, to inform a future full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Switzerland.

METHODS

We conducted a pilot RCT at a secondary care hospital for people with HF hospitalized due to decompensated HF or with a history of HF decompensation over the past 6 months. We randomized 1:1; usual care for the control (CG) and intervention group (IG) who received the intervention as well as usual care. Feasibility measures included patient recruitment rate, study nurse time, study attrition, the number and duration of consultations, intervention acceptability and intervention fidelity. Patient-reported outcomes included HF-specific self-care and HF-related health status (KCCQ-12) at 3 months follow-up. Clinical outcomes were all-cause mortality, hospitalization and days spent in hospital.

RESULTS

We recruited 60 persons with HF (age mean = 75.7 years, ± 8.9) over a 62-week period, requiring 1011 h of study nurse time. Recruitment rate was 46.15%; study attrition rate was 31.7%. Follow-up included 2.14 (mean, ± 0.97) visits per patient lasting a total of 166.96 min (mean, ± 72.55), and 3.1 (mean, ± 1.7) additional telephone contacts. Intervention acceptability was high. Mean intervention fidelity was 0.71. We found a 20-point difference in mean self-care management change from baseline to 3 months in favour of the IG (Cohens' d = 0.59). Small effect sizes for KCCQ-12 variables; less IG participants worsened in health status compared to CG participants. Five deaths occurred (IG = 3, CG = 2). There were 13 (IG) and 18 (CG) all-cause hospital admissions; participants spent 8.90 (median, IQR = 9.70, IG) and 15.38 (median, IQR = 18.41, CG) days in hospital. A subsequent full-scale effectiveness trial would require 304 (for a mono-centric trial) and 751 participants (for a ten-centre trial) for HF-related QoL (effect size = 0.3; power = 0.80, alpha = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We found the intervention, research methods and outcomes were feasible and acceptable. We propose increasing intervention fidelity strategies for a full-scale trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN10151805 , retrospectively registered 04/10/2019.

The effectiveness of self-care management in treating heart failure: A scoping review

Introduction: Heart failure is a common chronic disease associated with increased mortality and rehospitalization rates. Self-care management provided in various ways is one approach to avoiding the need for rehospitalization by lowering recurrence rates. Therefore, this study aims to determine the most effective self-care management interventions for heart failure patients. Design and Methods: The databases Science Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed were used to conduct literature reviews over ten years. In September 2021, a full-text article search was conducted using the keywords "Self-Care," "Self-Management," "Intervention," "Heart Failure Patients," and "Randomized Control Trial" in PubMed ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined using the PICOS technique. After the screening, 39 articles met the criteria. Results: Self-care management is provided through education programs, training programs, and the utilization of apps and websites to improve its self-care abilities. Conclusions: Therefore, one way to provide self-care management during the COVID-19 pandemic was through the program's website, which is viewed "remotely" and used to track patient progress.  

The Situation-Specific Theory of Heart Failure Self-care: An Update on the Problem, Person, and Environmental Factors Influencing Heart Failure Self-care

Many studies of heart failure (HF) self-care have been conducted since the last update of the situation-specific theory of HF self-care.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the manner in which characteristics of the problem, person, and environment interact to influence decisions about self-care made by adults with chronic HF.

METHODS

This study is a theoretical update. Literature on the influence of the problem, person, and environment on HF self-care is summarized.

RESULTS

Consistent with naturalistic decision making, the interaction of the problem, person, and environment creates a situation in which a self-care decision is needed. Problem factors influencing decisions about HF self-care include specific conditions such as cognitive impairment, diabetes mellitus, sleep disorders, depression, and symptoms. Comorbid conditions make HF self-care difficult for a variety of reasons. Person factors influencing HF self-care include age, knowledge, skill, health literacy, attitudes, perceived control, values, social norms, cultural beliefs, habits, motivation, activation, self-efficacy, and coping. Environmental factors include weather, crime, violence, access to the Internet, the built environment, social support, and public policy.

CONCLUSIONS

A robust body of knowledge has accumulated on the person-related factors influencing HF self-care. More research on the contribution of problem-related factors to HF self-care is needed because very few people have only HF and no other chronic conditions. The research on environment-related factors is particularly sparse. Seven new propositions are included in this update. We strongly encourage investigators to consider the interactions of problem, person, and environmental factors affecting self-care decisions in future studies.

Toward the Value Sensitive Design of eHealth Technologies to Support Self-management of Cardiovascular Diseases: Content Analysis

BACKGROUND

eHealth can revolutionize the way self-management support is offered to chronically ill individuals such as those with a cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, patients' fluctuating motivation to actually perform self-management is an important factor for which to account. Tailoring and personalizing eHealth to fit with the values of individuals promises to be an effective motivational strategy. Nevertheless, how specific eHealth technologies and design features could potentially contribute to values of individuals with a CVD has not been explicitly studied before.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to connect a set of empirically validated, health-related values of individuals with a CVD with existing eHealth technologies and their design features. The study searched for potential connections between design features and values with the goal to advance knowledge about how eHealth technologies can actually be more meaningful and motivating for end users.

METHODS

Undertaking a technical investigation that fits with the value sensitive design framework, a content analysis of existing eHealth technologies was conducted. We matched 11 empirically validated values of CVD patients with 70 design features from 10 eHealth technologies that were previously identified in a systematic review. The analysis consisted mainly of a deductive coding stage performed independently by 3 members of the study team. In addition, researchers and developers of 6 of the 10 reviewed technologies provided input about potential feature-value connections.

RESULTS

In total, 98 connections were made between eHealth design features and patient values. This meant that some design features could contribute to multiple values. Importantly, some values were more often addressed than others. CVD patients' values most often addressed were related to (1) having or maintaining a healthy lifestyle, (2) having an overview of personal health data, (3) having reliable information and advice, (4) having extrinsic motivators to accomplish goals or health-related activities, and (5) receiving personalized care. In contrast, values less often addressed concerned (6) perceiving low thresholds to access health care, (7) receiving social support, (8) preserving a sense of autonomy over life, and (9) not feeling fear, anxiety, or insecurity about health. Last, 2 largely unaddressed values were related to (10) having confidence and self-efficacy in the treatment or ability to achieve goals and (11) desiring to be seen as a person rather than a patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Positively, existing eHealth technologies could be connected with CVD patients' values, largely through design features that relate to educational support, self-monitoring support, behavior change support, feedback, and motivational incentives. Other design features such as reminders, prompts or cues, peer-based or expert-based human support, and general system personalization were also connected with values but in narrower ways. In future studies, the inferred feature-value connections must be validated with empirical data from individuals with a CVD or similar chronic conditions.

The effectiveness of a nurse-led home-based heart failure self-management programme (the HOM-HEMP) for patients with chronic heart failure: A three-arm stratified randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Although important, heart failure self-care remains a challenge for many patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led, home-based self-management psychosocial education intervention (HOM-HEMP). The primary outcome was patient's HF self-care in terms of maintenance, management and confidence. The secondary outcomes were cardiac self-efficacy, psychological wellbeing in terms of perceived social support, health related quality of life and levels of anxiety and depression. The clinical outcomes included New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and numbers of unplanned health service visits due to cardiac-related reasons.

DESIGN

A three-arm stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03108235).

METHODS

A total of 213 participants admitted for heart failure were recruited from the inpatient wards of a tertiary public hospital in Singapore. They were randomly allocated to the control group, the experimental group A or the experimental group B. All participants received the usual care provided by the hospital. Participants in experimental groups A and B received the HOM-HEMP intervention, and those in experimental group B received an additional supplemental smartphone application. Data were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months from baseline.

RESULTS

Compared to the control groups, participants in either of the experimental group had significantly higher levels of heart failure self-care maintenance (F = 4.222, p = 0.001), self-care confidence (F = 5.796, p < 0.001) and self-care management (p < 0.05) at 6-week, 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. In addition, both experimental groups had significantly higher levels of cardiac self-efficacy, better health related quality of life and lower depression levels than the control group after the study intervention. A higher proportion of participants in both experimental groups had a better New York Heart Association functional class at 6-week and 3-month follow-ups. Participants in the experimental group B also had significantly fewer cardiac-related unplanned hospital admissions and emergency room visits than the control group at 6-month follow-up. Results on perceived social support were not significant. The study outcomes in experimental group A and B were not significantly different at any of the post intervention follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggested that HOM-HEMP is an effective intervention for patients with heart failure in Singapore.

Developing and Implementing a Mobile Health Heart Failure Self-Care Program to Reduce Readmissions: A Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

Background

Patients admitted with decompensated heart failure (HF) are at risk for hospital readmission and poor quality of life during the discharge period. Lifestyle behavior modifications that promote the self-management of chronic cardiac diseases have been associated with an improved quality of life. However, whether a mobile health (mHealth) program can assist patients in the self-management of HF during the acute posthospital discharge period is unknown.

Objective

We aimed to develop an mHealth program designed to enhance patients’ self-management of HF by increasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and symptom detection. We hypothesized that patients hospitalized with HF would be willing to use a feasibly deployed mHealth program after their hospital discharge.

Methods

We employed a patient-centered outcomes research methodology to design a stakeholder-informed mHealth program. Adult patients with HF admitted to a large academic hospital were enrolled and randomized to receive the mHealth intervention versus usual care. Our feasibility outcomes included ease of program deployment, use of the clinical escalation process, duration of participant recruitment, and participant attrition. Surveys assessing the demographics and clinical characteristics of HF were measured at baseline and at 30 and 90 days after discharge.

Results

The study period was between July 1, 2019, and April 7, 2020. The mean cohort (N=31) age was 60.4 (range 22-85) years. Over half of the participants were men (n=18, 58%) and 77% (n=24) were White. There were no significant differences in baseline measures. We determined that an educational mHealth program tailored for patients with HF is feasibly deployed and acceptable by patients. Though not significant, we found notable trends including a higher mean quality of life at 30 days posthospitalization among program users and a longer duration before rehospitalization, which are suggestive of better HF prognosis.

Conclusions

Our mHealth tool should be further assessed in a larger comparative effectiveness trial. Our pilot intervention offers promise as an innovative means to help HF patients lead healthy, independent lives. These preliminary data suggest that patient-centered mHealth tools can enable high-risk patients to play a role in the management of their HF after discharge.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03982017; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03982017

Motivational Interviewing and Self-care Practices in Adult Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

BACKGROUND

Heart failure contributes to frequent hospitalizations, large healthcare costs, and high mortality. Heart failure management includes patient adherence to strict self-care practices (ie, symptom recognition, limiting sodium and fluids, monitoring weight, maintaining an active lifestyle, and medication adherence as well as monitoring other medical conditions). These practices can be difficult to enact and maintain. Motivational interviewing, although not studied extensively in patients with heart failure, may enhance patients' abilities to enact and maintain self-care practices.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of motivational interviewing on self-care practices in the adult population with heart failure.

METHODS

We conducted a narrative systematic review of peer-reviewed research literature focused on motivational interviewing in adult patients with heart failure. The following databases were searched from database inception to March 2019: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ERIC, Educational Resource Complete, and Scopus. Of 1158 citations retrieved, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Outcomes were focused on self-care adherence (ie, maintenance, management, confidence), physical activity/exercise, and knowledge of self-care. Motivational interviewing has been effectively used either alone or in combination with other therapies and has been used in-home, over the telephone, and in hospital/clinic settings, although face-to-face interventions seem to be more effective. A number of limitations were noted in the included studies.

CONCLUSION

Motivational interviewing is a potentially effective adjunct to enhance self-care practices in patients with heart failure. Further high-quality research is needed to support changes in clinical practice.

Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Nonhome Discharge in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: An Observational Study

Background

No clinical studies have focused on the factors associated with discharge destination in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Methods and Results

Of 4056 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure in the KCHF (Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure) registry, we analyzed 3460 patients hospitalized from their homes and discharged alive. There were 3009 and 451 patients who were discharged to home and nonhome, respectively. We investigated the factors associated with nonhome discharge and compared the outcomes between home discharge and nonhome discharge. Factors independently and positively associated with nonhome discharge were age ≥80 years (odds ratio [OR],1.76; 95% CI,1.28–2.42), body mass index ≤22 kg/m² (OR,1.49; 95% CI,1.12–1.97), poor medication adherence (OR, 2.08; 95% CI,1.49–2.88), worsening heart failure (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.46–2.82), stroke during hospitalization (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.75–8.00), functional decline (OR, 12.24; 95% CI, 8.74–17.14), and length of hospital stay >16 days (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 3.01–5.69), while those negatively associated were diabetes mellitus (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51–0.94), cohabitants (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46–0.85), and ambulatory state before admission (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.18–0.36). The cumulative 1‐year incidence of all‐cause death was significantly higher in the nonhome discharge group than in the home discharge group. The nonhome discharge group compared with the nonhome discharge group was associated with a higher adjusted risk for all‐cause death (hazard ratio, 1.66; P<0.001).

Conclusions

The discharge destination of patients with acute decompensated heart failure is influenced by factors such as prehospital social background, age, body mass index, low self‐care ability, events during hospitalization (worsening heart failure, stroke, etc), functional decline, and length of hospital stay; moreover, the prognosis of nonhome discharge patients is worse than that of home discharge patients.

Registration Information

clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02334891.

Patients' Experiences of a Nurse-Led, Home-Based Heart Failure Self-management Program: Findings From a Qualitative Process Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem that places a significant disease burden on society. Self-care is important in the management of HF because it averts disease progression and reduces the number of hospitalizations. Effective nursing interventions promote HF self-care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore participants' perspectives on a nurse-led, home-based heart failure self-management program (HOM-HEMP) in a randomized controlled trial conducted in Singapore to gain insight into the effectiveness of the study intervention.

METHODS

A descriptive, qualitative approach was used. English- or Chinese-speaking participants from the intervention arms were recruited through a purposive sampling method from January 2019 to July 2019. Individual, face-to-face, semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 participants. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim, with the participant identifiers omitted to ensure confidentiality. The thematic analysis approach was used to identify, analyze, and report patterns (themes) within the data.

RESULTS

A total of six themes emerged from the process evaluation interviews and were categorized according to the Donabedian structure-process-outcome framework as intervention structure, intervention process, and intervention outcome. These six themes were manageability of the intervention, areas for improvement, benefits of visiting, personal accountability in self-care, empowered with knowledge and skills in self-care after the intervention, and increased self-efficacy in cardiac care.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the process evaluation provided additional information on participants' perceptions and experiences with the HOM-HEMP intervention. Although a home visit may be perceived as resource intensive, it remains to be the preferred way of engagement for most patients. Nurses play an important role in promoting HF self-care. The process of interaction with the patient can be an important process for empowering self-care behavior changes.

Using mixed methods in cardiovascular nursing research: Answering the why, the how, and the what's next

Mixed methods is an innovative research approach that can be applied to understand complex cardiovascular phenomena. A mixed methods study involves collecting both quantitative and qualitative data and intentionally integrating the data to provide a better understanding of the phenomena than can be achieved by using a quantitative or qualitative approach alone. Conducting a mixed methods study requires planning and careful attention to methodological rigour in the data collection, analysis, and integration phases. This paper provides an overview of the mixed methods approach and describes its application to cardiovascular nursing science.

Behavioural strategies to self-manage low-potassium diets in chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Dietary potassium restrictions may be challenging to follow, due in part to the restrictive nature of recommendations on foods people enjoy. Little is known how people incorporate low-potassium diets into their lifestyles.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the self-directed behavioural strategies people employ to follow low-potassium advice.

DESIGN

Qualitative methodology.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-four adults with chronic kidney disease.

APPROACH

Semistructured interviews were undertaken in an outpatient department. Thematic analysis was undertaken on transcribed interviews.

FINDINGS

Analysis identified three themes: 'Differing opinions of food'; 'Food generates positive emotions'; and 'Doing what works'. Participants described foods providing different levels of enjoyment. Favourite foods in their habitual diet held either a physiological or a psychological value to them. Five subthemes underpinned the 'Doing what works' theme that described the self-management behaviours used by participants to follow low-potassium dietary advice. These were positive reframing; reflection; self-talk; social support; decisional balance; paradoxical instruction; and knowledge shaping. These techniques helped overcome the conflict between favourite food preferences and dietary restrictions. Dietary restrictions proved more challenging where an emotional connection to a favourite food existed. Restrictions on less preferred foods did not present participants with the same self-management challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Promoting behavioural change techniques such as decisional balance, and social support may be a useful strategy to empower people following dietary restrictions. Practitioners should understand whether suggested dietary restrictions include an individual's favourite food; the value attached to it, and explore specific ways to include favourite foods in some way when discussing a low-potassium diet.

Navigating Symptom Management in Heart Failure: The Crucial Role of the Critical Care Nurse

High-acuity, progressive care, and critical care nurses often provide care for patients with heart failure during an exacerbation of acute disease or at the end of life. Identifying and managing heart failure symptoms is complex and requires early recognition and early intervention. Because symptoms of heart failure are not disease specific, patients may not respond to them appropriately, resulting in treatment delays. This article reviews the complexities and issues surrounding the patient's ability to recognize heart failure symptoms and the critical care nurse's role in facilitating early intervention. It outlines the many barriers to symptom recognition and response, including multimorbidities, age, symptom intensity, symptom escalation, and health literacy. The influence of self-care on heart failure management is also described. The critical care nurse plays a crucial role in teaching heart failure patients to identify and respond appropriately to their symptoms, thus promoting early intervention.

Psychometric Testing of the Revised Self-Care of Heart Failure Index

BACKGROUND

Self-care is essential in people with chronic heart failure (HF). The process of self-care was refined in the revised situation specific theory of HF self-care, so we updated the instrument measuring self-care to match the updated theory. The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the revised 29-item Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI).

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used in the primary psychometric analysis using data collected at 5 sites in the United States. A longitudinal design was used at the site collecting test-retest data. We tested SCHFI validity with confirmatory factor analysis and predictive validity in relation to health-related quality of life. We tested SCHFI reliability with Cronbach α, global reliability index, and test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

Participants included 631 adults with HF (mean age, 65 ± 14.3 years; 63% male). A series of confirmatory factor analyses supported the factorial structure of the SCHFI with 3 scales: Self-Care Maintenance (with consulting behavior and dietary behavior dimensions), Symptom Perception (with monitoring behavior and symptom recognition dimensions), and Self-Care Management (with recommended behavior and problem-solving behavior dimensions). Reliability estimates were 0.70 or greater for all scales. Predictive validity was supportive with significant correlations between SCHFI scores and health-related quality-of-life scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis supports validity and reliability of the SCHFI v7.2. It is freely available to users on the website: www.self-care-measures.com.

Health coaching to improve self-care of informal caregivers of adults with chronic heart failure - iCare4Me: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Persons with chronic heart failure are living longer. These patients typically live in the community and are cared for at home by informal caregivers. These caregivers are an understudied and stressed group.

METHODS

We are conducting a two-arm, randomized controlled trial of 250 caregivers of persons with chronic heart failure to evaluate the efficacy of a health coaching intervention. A consecutive sample of participants is being enrolled from both clinic and hospital settings at a single institution affiliated with a large medical center in the northeastern US. Both the intervention and control groups receive tablets programmed to provide standardized health information. In addition, the intervention group receives 10 live coaching sessions delivered virtually by health coaches using the tablets. The intervention is evaluated at 6-months, with self-care as the primary outcome. Cost-effectiveness of the intervention is evaluated at 12-months. We are also enrolling heart failure patients (dyads) whenever possible to explore the effect of caregiver outcomes (self-care, stress, coping, health status) on heart failure patient outcomes (number of hospitalizations and days in the hospital) at 12-months.

DISCUSSION

We expect the proposed study to require 5 years for completion. If shown to be efficacious and cost-effective, our virtual health coaching intervention can easily be scaled to. support millions of caregivers worldwide.

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

BACKGROUND

Chronic 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.

AIM

To compare the applicability of cognitive behavioural interventions and motivational interviewing on improving self-care behaviours in patients with chronic heart failure.

METHOD

A 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.

RESULTS

Motivational 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.

CONCLUSION

MI 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.

Efficacy of a social support and problem-solving intervention on heart failure self-care: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the preliminary effects of a coping partnership intervention comprised of social support and problem-solving on HF self-care maintenance, management, and confidence.

METHODS

A 3-group randomized controlled pilot study was conducted. The intervention group received 1 home visit, weekly (month 1), and biweekly (months 2 and 3) telephone calls. The attention group received telephone calls starting at week 2, following a similar pattern. The control group received usual care only. The Self-care of Heart Failure Index, was administered at baseline, 5, 9, and 13 weeks. Linear mixed modeling examined intervention effect on study outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 66 participants completed the study. The participants were mean age 61 years; 54.2% male; 56% Non-Caucasian; and 43.9% New York Heart Association HF Class II. Significant treatment-by-time interaction effects were noted for self-care maintenance (F=4.813; p=0.010) and self-care confidence (F=4.469; p=0.014). There was no significant treatment-by-time interaction effect on self-care management.

CONCLUSIONS

Coping partnership interventions that strengthen support and social problem- solving may improve self-care maintenance and confidence in individuals with HF.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians should consider including these components in HF patient education and clinical follow-up.

Self-Care for the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association

Self-care is defined as a naturalistic decision-making process addressing both the prevention and management of chronic illness, with core elements of self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management. In this scientific statement, we describe the importance of self-care in the American Heart Association mission and vision of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The evidence supporting specific self-care behaviors such as diet and exercise, barriers to self-care, and the effectiveness of self-care in improving outcomes is reviewed, as is the evidence supporting various individual, family-based, and community-based approaches to improving self-care. Although there are many nuances to the relationships between self-care and outcomes, there is strong evidence that self-care is effective in achieving the goals of the treatment plan and cannot be ignored. As such, greater emphasis should be placed on self-care in evidence-based guidelines.

Socioeconomic, Psychosocial and Behavioral Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized With Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have drawn attention to nonclinical factors to better understand disparities in the development, treatment and prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease. However, there has been limited research describing the nonclinical characteristics of patients hospitalized for cardiovascular care.

METHODS

Data for this study come from 520 patients admitted to the Duke Heart Center from January 1, 2015 through January 10, 2017. Electronic medical records and a standardized survey administered before discharge were used to ascertain detailed information on patients' demographic (age, sex, race, marital status and living arrangement), socioeconomic (education, employment and health insurance), psychosocial (health literacy, health self-efficacy, social support, stress and depressive symptoms) and behavioral (smoking, drinking and medication adherence) attributes.

RESULTS

Study participants were of a median age of 65 years, predominantly male (61.4%), non-Hispanic white (67.1%), hospitalized for 5.11 days and comparable to all patients admitted during this period. Results from the survey showed significant heterogeneity among patients in their demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics. We also found that the patients' levels of psychosocial risks and resources were significantly associated with many of these nonclinical characteristics. Patients who were older, women, nonwhite and unmarried had generally lower levels of health literacy, self-efficacy and social support, and higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms than their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease have diverse nonclinical profiles that have important implications for targeting interventions. A better understanding of these characteristics will enhance the personalized delivery of care and improve outcomes in vulnerable patient groups.

Establishing Theoretical Stability and Treatment Integrity for Motivational Interviewing

BACKGROUND

There is increasing evidence claiming the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) in promoting behavioural change. However, ongoing changes to MI theory and practice have implications for its transferability, accessibility and for the validity of previous findings. Lack of practice consistency may make its effectiveness difficult to evaluate.

AIMS

This paper explores the complexity of MI and issues in the development of evidence-based practice in delivery, before describing issues related to practitioner application.

METHOD

Theoretical and practice developments over the last 30 years are reviewed under the headings theory, practice and efficacy. Specifically, developments across the three editions of the core MI texts are examined.

RESULTS

Findings from the literature suggest a lack of theoretical stability and practice integrity, with recent fundamental changes to the underpinning structure of MI. Issues relating to the transferability and acquisition of MI skills, consistency of delivery and mechanisms underlying change are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors call for greater theoretical stability, more transparency over how developments are based on theoretical principles and empirical outcomes, and clearer guidance about how this informs practice development and delivery of MI.