Personalized feedback improves cardiovascular risk perception and physical activity levels in persons with HIV: results of a pilot randomized clinical trial

Effects of the Omaha System- and HeartScore®-Based Impaired-Risk Perception Reduction Program on the Risk Perception of Individuals Aged 50-65 Years: A One-Group Pre-Test-Post-Test Study

PURPOSE

This study evaluates the impact of interventions in the Omaha System and HeartScore®-based program to reduce impaired-risk perception.

DESIGN

and setting: This study utilized a one-group pre-test-post-test design.

SUBJECTS

The program was conducted among participants aged over 50 years from different social settings.

INTERVENTION

The program had three parts: a briefing on HeartScore® recommendations, Omaha System interventions, and referral to a doctor.

MEASURES

HeartScore® determined cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight, and the International PA Questionnaire evaluated physical activity (PA) levels. Self-assessment was used to perceived CVD risk, BMI, and PA.

ANALYSIS

We used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the pre-test and post-test scores of the Omaha System, the problem rating scale (PRS) subscales and McNemar test to measure changes in CVD risk perception, BMI, and PA level.

RESULTS

310 high-risk individuals out of 522 had impaired perception of their CVD risk. Only 201 responded to follow-up phone calls. Interventions based on HeartScore® and Omaha System improved CVD risk and PA perceptions (P < .001) but not BMI. The program significantly increased knowledge, status, and behavior scores (P < .001). After participating, 39% saw a cardiologist, and 57.2% saw a family physician within six months to reduce impaired risk perception. CVD risk perception increased to the actual level after the intervention, mostly in the group with low education level.

CONCLUSIONS

The program using the Omaha System and HeartScore® can help middle-aged individuals better understand their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease risk communication and prevention: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Knowledge of quantifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk may improve health outcomes and trigger behavioural change in patients or clinicians. This review aimed to investigate the impact of CVD risk communication on patient-perceived CVD risk and changes in CVD risk factors.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception to 6 June 2023, supplemented by citation analysis. Randomized trials that compared any CVD risk communication strategy versus usual care were included. Paired reviewers independently screened the identified records and extracted the data; disagreements were resolved by a third author. The primary outcome was the accuracy of risk perception. Secondary outcomes were clinician-reported changes in CVD risk, psychological responses, intention to modify lifestyle, and self-reported changes in risk factors and clinician prescribing of preventive medicines.

RESULTS

Sixty-two trials were included. Accuracy of risk perception was higher among intervention participants (odds ratio = 2.31, 95% confidence interval = 1.63 to 3.27). A statistically significant improvement in overall CVD risk scores was found at 6-12 months (mean difference = -0.27, 95% confidence interval = -0.45 to -0.09). For primary prevention, risk communication significantly increased self-reported dietary modification (odds ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval = 1.21 to 1.86) with no increase in intention or actual changes in smoking cessation or physical activity. A significant impact on patients' intention to start preventive medication was found for primary and secondary prevention, with changes at follow-up for the primary prevention group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, communicating CVD risk information, regardless of the method, reduced the overall risk factors and enhanced patients' self-perceived risk. Communication of CVD risk to patients should be considered in routine consultations.

Effectiveness of an eHealth intervention to improve subjective well-being and self-efficacy in cardiovascular disaease patients: A pilot non-randomized controlled trial

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent, eHealth-based self-efficacy intervention to promote subjective well-being and self-efficacy in patients with cardiovascular disease, exploring sex differences.

DESIGN

A pilot study of a two-arm non-randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Forty-two cardiovascular patients (31% women) participated in the study. The experimental group received a personalized psychoeducational session and a 14-days eHealth intervention. Subjective well-being (positive and negative affect) and self-efficacy (chronic and cardiac) were assessed at baseline, post-psychoeducational session, post-eHealth intervention and at two follow-ups.

RESULTS

The levels of the experimental group in positive affect, at post-eHealth and follow-up 1, and self-efficacy, at post-eHealth, and both follow-ups, were statistically significantly higher compared to the control group (all ps < .05). When considering sex, the intervention was effective only for men. The results highlight the potential of eHealth interventions for cardiac patients and underline the importance of considering a gender perspective in their treatment.

Effects of Physical Activity Interventions on Health Outcomes among Older Adults Living with HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There is a lack of evidence regarding the effects of exercise on older individuals living with HIV. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined previous studies on physical activity interventions for people living with HIV aged ≥50 years. The effectiveness of the interventions on various physical and psychological health outcomes was evaluated. Databases used for this review included PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library CENTRAL. Twelve randomized controlled trials on physical activity interventions for people ≥50 years and living with HIV were included. Standardized mean differences were calculated using random-effect models. All effect sizes were expressed using Cohen’s d values and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Physical activity interventions had a significant effect on walking capacity (Cohen’s d: 0.467; 95% CI [0.069, 0.865]). The effect sizes on cardiorespiratory fitness, weight, and health-related quality of life were not significant. These findings suggest that physical activity interventions for people living with HIV aged ≥50 years are effective for the improvement of walking capacity. Further larger and higher-quality studies are required to determine the full effects of physical activity interventions on various health outcomes among older adults with HIV.

Validação de livro eletrônico interativo para redução do risco cardiovascular em pessoas vivendo com HIV

Resumo Objetivo Validar um material educativo digital interativo no formato de livro eletrônico sobre prevenção e redução do risco cardiovascular na perspectiva das pessoas vivendo com vírus da imunodeficiência humana. Método Trata-se de um estudo metodológico baseado na teoria de pesquisa de avaliação, do tipo análise de resultados, que envolve produção tecnológica. Os dados foram coletados em todo o Brasil por meio de um questionário virtual composto por itens para avaliação geral, visual, linguagem, usabilidade, conteúdo e aparência do material educativo. Para atestar a validade, adotou-se o Índice de Concordância mínimo de 80%. Resultados Participaram do estudo 309 pessoas vivendo com vírus da imunodeficiência humana, a maioria (84,3%) do sexo masculino, com idade entre 19 e 65 anos e ensino superior completo (29,3%). Mais de 90% dos participantes avaliaram o livro como adequado para tirar dúvidas e realizar cuidados preventivos à saúde cardiovascular. Todos os itens avaliados alcançaram índice acima de 0,80. A avaliação geral de todos os itens alcançou média de 0,92, sendo a avaliação geral (0,97) e o conteúdo (0,94). Conclusão O material educativo mostrou-se válido, adequado e pertinente para promover a alfabetização em saúde, e poderá contribuir com a promoção da saúde e prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares.