Cardiac rehabilitation programme for coronary heart disease patients: An integrative literature review

Theory-based nursing interventions in adults with coronary heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the outcomes of theory-based nursing interventions for coronary heart disease management.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed databases were electronically searched from January 2013 to August 2021. The Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement guidelines was followed for this meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials on patients with coronary heart disease, using a theory-based nursing intervention were eligible. Methodological quality was examined by two authors using the Modified Jadad Scale. Based on the heterogeneity test, the results were analyzed using a pool of data with 95% confidence intervals, p-values, and fixed or random-effect models (PROSPERO registration number X).

FINDINGS

A total of 1030 studies were initially retrieved, and 8 randomized controlled trials were eventually included in the meta-analysis after screening. The big majority (81.3%) of participants were males, and the mean age was 54.8 (SD = 8.7) years. This meta-analysis found theory-based nursing interventions had no significant effect on blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and healthy lifestyle. However, these interventions significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, and body mass index and improved the physical and psychological domains of quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence from this meta-analysis reveals that theory-based nursing interventions have a positive effect on fasting blood glucose, body mass index, and quality of life. However, their effects on blood lipid profile, blood pressure, and a healthy lifestyle are inconclusive. The results of this metanalysis are largely based on a few trials and were limited in terms of the number of outcomes. Conducting well-designed randomized controlled trials with adequate power is needed to make a firm conclusion on the influence of theory-based nursing interventions on patient outcomes in the CHD population.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Considering the high mortality and morbidity of coronary heart disease, nurses may play a significant role in coronary heart disease management by providing interventions that are based on a certain theoretical framework. This meta-analysis provides insights into the implementation of theory-based nursing interventions in heart attack survivors or those newly diagnosed with coronary heart disease led by nurses and lasting longer than 6 months in coronary heart disease. In addition, future studies should consider enhancing the content of training programs for a healthy lifestyle within the theory-based nursing interventions and compare the effects of these interventions on acute and chronic coronary syndromes.

The Associations Between Patients' Characteristics and the Quality of Life Among Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the most significant leading causes of death and disability in the world. The quality of life (QoL) score is used to evaluate the impact of ACS treatments on the patients' physical, emotional, and social functioning. It is considered a significant indicator of the progress of the patients' health status and is useful in predicting patients' needs for continuing, modifying, or changing their treatment plans.

Objective

To identify the associations between patients' characteristics and the QoL among ACS patients in Jordan.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 372 participants with ACS from six referral hospitals in Jordan.

Results

Jordanian patients with higher educational level and exercise had significant and positive association with QoL (β = 0.257, p < .001), (β = 0.191, p < .001), respectively. Also, patients who reported having dyslipidaemia and having unstable angina (UA) had lower score of QoL (β = -0.165, p < .001), (β = -0.149, p < .001), respectively. Finally, gender and working status did not significantly appear to have an association with the total QoL.

Conclusions

This study sheds light on the importance of increasing the level of patients' awareness about their illness by educating them about it and encouraging them to engage in physical activity programs.

Education of the Patients Living with Heart Disease

INTRODUCTION

Patient education can be defined as the process of improving knowledge and skills in order to influence the attitudes and behaviour required to maintain or improve health or health style.

AIM

Education of the patients living with heart disease from ambulatory nurse education for the effectiveness on awareness on life style.

METHODS

A quasi experimental study was conducted in Specialist Cardiology Ambulance D&D in Pristina among 100 patients. A complete clinical and laboratory measurements before and after the process of patient education (at 30, 60 and 90 days) were performed. The clinical outcome was nutrition, body mass index, blood pressure, lipid, diabetic profile and physical activity. The pre-post tested (validity, reliability and pilot testing) structured questionnaire were used for data collection.

RESULTS

All patients underwent education sessions by an experienced education nurse on 30, 60 and 90 days. At 90 days follow up, the BMI was decreased: Pre-education (29.01±5.46), Post-education (27.72±4.71), t- 5.999 p<0.0001, glycaemic level Pre-education (6.50±2.15) and Post-education (6.02±1.63), t- 4.157, p<0.0001 was decreased, HbA1c in Pre-education (6.23±2.06) and Post-education (5.72±1.44) t- 4.036 p<0.0001 respectively. The lipid profile was also changed at the 90 days follow-up: cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C were decreased (p<0.0001 for all), whereas HDL-C was increased (p<0.0001), by educational program at 90 days follow up. Whereas, blood pressure remains unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Heart disease management programme where patient's education is an important component, have been shown to be effective in increasing knowledge, self-care and self-management patients living with heart disease.

Instruments to assess self-efficacy among people with cardiovascular disease: A COSMIN systematic review

BACKGROUND

Self-efficacy plays an important role in recovery. There is a need for valid tools that can assess self-efficacy in cardiovascular diseases to provide evidence-based practices.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a psychometric review of self-efficacy instruments in cardiovascular disease according to the COSMIN checklist in order to facilitate the selection of the most suitable measuring instruments.

DESIGN

Psychometric systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic literature search was conducted on the Web of Science, EBSCOHOST CINAHL COMPLETE, PUBMED, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane Library, OVID and PROQUEST databases from their time of inception to January 2019.

METHODS

We used COSMIN systematic review guideline to evaluate the quality of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and to facilitate the selection of the most suitable measuring instruments.

RESULTS

After the search process, a total of nine studies conducted between 1998 and 2018 were included in the systematic review, representing five instruments. The Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale demonstrated high quality for content validity and low quality for internal consistency. The Cardiovascular Management Self-Efficacy Scale demonstrated high quality for structural validity and low quality for reliability and content validity. The General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale demonstrated high quality for both structural validity and internal consistency. Content validity was not assessed for this scale. The Hypertension Self-Care Profile Self-Efficacy Scale demonstrated a moderate quality for structural validity, internal consistency and reliability and also high quality for content validity. The Self-Efficacy Expectations After Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation Scale demonstrated high quality for structural validity, internal consistency and responsiveness. None of the studies determined measurement error, cross-cultural validity or criterion validity.

CONCLUSIONS

The Self-Efficacy Expectations After Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation Scale is categorised as A and is recommended as the most suitable instrument. All other the four instruments categorised as B with potential to be recommended should be evaluated with further psychometric studies.

Effects of the patient education strategy 'Learning and Coping' in cardiac rehabilitation on readmissions and mortality: a randomized controlled trial (LC-REHAB)

We assessed the effects of the patient education strategy 'Learning and Coping' (LC) in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on mortality and readmissions by exploring results from the LC-REHAB trial. In all, 825 patients with ischaemic heart disease or heart failure were randomized to the intervention arm (LC-CR) or the control arm (standard CR) at three hospitals in Denmark. LC-CR was situational and inductive, with experienced patients as co-educators supplemented with two individual interviews. Group-based training and education hours were the same in both arms. Outcomes were time to death or readmission, length of stay and absolute number of deaths or readmissions. No between-arm differences were found in time to death, first readmission, or length of stay. Within 30 days after completion of CR, the absolute number of all-cause readmissions was 117 in the LC arm and 146 in the control arm, adjusted odds ratio 78 (95% CI: 0.61-1.01), P = 0.06. This trend diminished over time. Adding LC strategies to standard CR showed a short term but no significant long-term effect on mortality or readmissions. However, the study was not powered to detect differences in mortality and morbidity. Thus, a risk of overseeing a true effect was present.

The effect of education and telephone follow-up intervention based on the Roy Adaptation Model after myocardial infarction: randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients' lifestyle changes after myocardial infarction reduce the risk of infarction. Nursing interventions are important for the initiation and maintenance of lifestyle adaptation.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of education and telephone follow-up intervention based on the Roy Adaptation Model for improving myocardial infarction patients' self-efficacy, quality of life and lifestyle adaptation.

METHOD

In this parallel, randomised controlled trial, patients were randomly allocated to a control group or an intervention group (n = 33/group). The control group received routine care, while the intervention group received routine care plus a telephone follow-up intervention, which consisted of a predischarge education programme and three telephone follow-up sessions. Data were collected before discharge, in the 12th week after discharge between April 2016 and August 2017. All outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks, and included quality of life, coping adaptation process, self-efficacy and lifestyle changes. The CONSORT checklist was used in the study.

RESULTS

In the 12th week after discharge, patients in the intervention group had significant improvements in self-efficacy, quality of life and coping adaptation process compared with the control group. The intervention group also had more adaptation lifestyle changes concerning patients nutrition and physical activity in the 12-week follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that education and telephone follow-up intervention based on Roy Adaptation Model was had positive and significant results after 12 weeks compared with usual care. The findings of this study are important for supporting nursing practice and health professionals who care for individuals with myocardial infarction to develop nursing care.

Patient education in the management of coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the single most common cause of death globally. However, with falling CHD mortality rates, an increasing number of people live with CHD and may need support to manage their symptoms and improve prognosis. Cardiac rehabilitation is a complex multifaceted intervention which aims to improve the health outcomes of people with CHD. Cardiac rehabilitation consists of three core modalities: education, exercise training and psychological support. This is an update of a Cochrane systematic review previously published in 2011, which aims to investigate the specific impact of the educational component of cardiac rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES

1. To assess the effects of patient education delivered as part of cardiac rehabilitation, compared with usual care on mortality, morbidity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and healthcare costs in patients with CHD.2. To explore the potential study level predictors of the effects of patient education in patients with CHD (e.g. individual versus group intervention, timing with respect to index cardiac event).

SEARCH METHODS

We updated searches from the previous Cochrane review, by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Library, Issue 6, 2016), MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid) and CINAHL (EBSCO) in June 2016. Three trials registries, previous systematic reviews and reference lists of included studies were also searched. No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) where the primary interventional intent was education delivered as part of cardiac rehabilitation.2. Studies with a minimum of six-months follow-up and published in 1990 or later.3. Adults with a diagnosis of CHD.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened all identified references for inclusion based on the above inclusion criteria. One author extracted study characteristics from the included trials and assessed their risk of bias; a second review author checked data. Two independent reviewers extracted outcome data onto a standardised collection form. For dichotomous variables, risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived for each outcome. Heterogeneity amongst included studies was explored qualitatively and quantitatively. Where appropriate and possible, results from included studies were combined for each outcome to give an overall estimate of treatment effect. Given the degree of clinical heterogeneity seen in participant selection, interventions and comparators across studies, we decided it was appropriate to pool studies using random-effects modelling. We planned to undertake subgroup analysis and stratified meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression to examine potential treatment effect modifiers. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to evaluate the quality of the evidence and the GRADE profiler (GRADEpro GDT) to create summary of findings tables.

MAIN RESULTS

This updated review included a total of 22 trials which randomised 76,864 people with CHD to an education intervention or a 'no education' comparator. Nine new trials (8215 people) were included for this update. We judged most included studies as low risk of bias across most domains. Educational 'dose' ranged from one 40 minute face-to-face session plus a 15 minute follow-up call, to a four-week residential stay with 11 months of follow-up sessions. Control groups received usual medical care, typically consisting of referral to an outpatient cardiologist, primary care physician, or both.We found evidence of no difference in effect of education-based interventions on total mortality (13 studies, 10,075 participants; 189/5187 (3.6%) versus 222/4888 (4.6%); random effects risk ratio (RR) 0.80, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.05; moderate quality evidence). Individual causes of mortality were reported rarely, and we were unable to report separate results for cardiovascular mortality or non-cardiovascular mortality. There was evidence of no difference in effect of education-based interventions on fatal and/or non fatal myocardial infarction (MI) (2 studies, 209 participants; 7/107 (6.5%) versus 12/102 (11.8%); random effects RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.48; very low quality of evidence). However, there was some evidence of a reduction with education in fatal and/or non-fatal cardiovascular events (2 studies, 310 studies; 21/152 (13.8%) versus 61/158 (38.6%); random effects RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.56; low quality evidence). There was evidence of no difference in effect of education on the rate of total revascularisations (3 studies, 456 participants; 5/228 (2.2%) versus 8/228 (3.5%); random effects RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.71; very low quality evidence) or hospitalisations (5 studies, 14,849 participants; 656/10048 (6.5%) versus 381/4801 (7.9%); random effects RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.21; very low quality evidence). There was evidence of no difference between groups for all cause withdrawal (17 studies, 10,972 participants; 525/5632 (9.3%) versus 493/5340 (9.2%); random effects RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.22; low quality evidence). Although some health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domain scores were higher with education, there was no consistent evidence of superiority across all domains.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no reduction in total mortality, in people who received education delivered as part of cardiac rehabilitation, compared to people in control groups (moderate quality evidence). There were no improvements in fatal or non fatal MI, total revascularisations or hospitalisations, with education. There was some evidence of a reduction in fatal and/or non-fatal cardiovascular events with education, but this was based on only two studies. There was also some evidence to suggest that education-based interventions may improve HRQoL. Our findings are supportive of current national and international clinical guidelines that cardiac rehabilitation for people with CHD should be comprehensive and include educational interventions together with exercise and psychological therapy. Further definitive research into education interventions for people with CHD is needed.

Depression in Cardiovascular Patients in Middle Eastern Populations: A Literature Review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing in Middle Eastern countries. Depression is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates among cardiovascular (CV) patients. Early detection of and intervention for depression among CV patients can reduce morbidity and mortality and save health care costs. Public information on mental health care needs of Arab CV patients living in Middle East regions is scattered and limited. This literature review surveyed and summarized research studies to learn what is known about the relationship between depression and CVD in Middle Eastern populations. The information will raise awareness among health care professionals and policy makers regarding the clinical significance of depression in Arab CV patients. It might contribute to development of culturally appropriate and effective mental health care services. Multiple databases were searched and 60 articles were assessed, including studies that investigated depression in Arab CV patient populations, physiological mechanisms of depression-CVD comorbidity, and intervention strategies that affect CV risk in depressed Arab patients. We discuss the extent to which this issue has been explored in Arab populations living in Middle East regions and Arab populations living abroad. We recommend that more comprehensive and in-depth research studies be conducted with Arab cardiac patients to enable implementation of culturally appropriate and effective mental health care interventions.

Psychosocial outcome in cardiovascular rehabilitation of peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease patients

We investigated patients with a primary diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (n = 69) and coronary heart disease (CAD; n = 520) at baseline and on changes in psychosocial risk factors (depression, anxiety, quality of life, negative and positive affect) during a cardiovascular rehabilitation program. Patients completed psychosocial questionnaires at the beginning and at discharge of a 12-week rehabilitation program. Depression and anxiety were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), positive and negative affect with the Global Mood Scale, and health-related quality of life with the SF-36 Health Survey. Patients with PAD showed improvements in anxiety (p < 0.001), negative affect (p < 0.001) and bodily pain (p < 0.001). Patients with CAD reported significant improvements in all measured dimensions (all p-values < 0.001).

A mHealth cardiac rehabilitation exercise intervention: findings from content development studies

BACKGROUND

Involving stakeholders and consumers throughout the content and study design ensures interventions are engaging and relevant for end-users. The aim of this paper is to present the content development process for a mHealth (mobile phone and internet-based) cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise intervention.

METHODS

An innovative mHealth intervention was developed with patient input using the following steps: conceptualization, formative research, pre-testing, and pilot testing. Conceptualization, including theoretical and technical aspects, was undertaken by experts. For the formative component, focus groups and interviews with cardiac patients were conducted to discuss their perceptions of a mHealth CR program. A general inductive thematic approach identified common themes. A preliminary library of text and video messages were then developed. Participants were recruited from CR education sessions to pre-test and provide feedback on the content using an online survey. Common responses were extracted and compiled. An iterative process was used to refine content prior to pilot testing and conduct of a randomized controlled trial.

RESULTS

38 CR patients and 3 CR nurses participated in the formative research and 20 CR patients participated in the content pre-testing. Participants perceived the mHealth program as an effective approach to inform and motivate patients to exercise. For the qualitative study, 100% (n = 41) of participants thought it to be a good idea, and 11% of participants felt it might not be useful for them, but would be for others. Of the 20 participants who completed the online survey, 17 out of 20 (85%) stated they would sign up to a program where they could receive information by video messages on a website, and 12 out of 20 (60%) showed interest in a texting program. Some older CR patients viewed technology as a potential barrier as they were unfamiliar with text messaging or did not have mobile phones. Steps to instruct participants to receive texts and view the website were written into the study protocol. Suggestions to improve videos and wording of texts were fed back to the content development team and refined.

CONCLUSIONS

Most participants thought a mHealth exercise program was an effective way to deliver exercise-based CR. The results were used to develop an innovative multimedia exercise intervention. A randomized controlled trial is currently underway.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12611000117910.

Development of an evaluation scale for self-management behavior related to physical activity of patients with coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

To provide patients with effective self-management education that takes their lifestyle into account, medical personnel need to provide education and evaluation of self-management behaviors which patients can apply to their daily life.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the evaluation scale for self-management behavior related to physical activity of patients with coronary heart disease (ES-SMBPA-CHD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Outpatients with coronary heart disease (n = 76) completed a self-administered questionnaire supported by a previous study of ours. The ES-SMBPA-CHD was divided into two domains, the first dealing with self-management behavior to enhance physical activity in daily life and the second with behavior to maintain the level of physical activity. Factor analysis showed that the first part comprised four factors and the second five. The ES-SMBPA-CHD was associated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) subscales and activity energy expenditure (measured by Lifecorder EX). Cronbach's α coefficient was between 0.71 and 0.90. The intraclass test-retest correlation coefficient of the subscale was between 0.75 and 0.93.

CONCLUSIONS

The ES-SMBPA-CHD is reasonably reliable and valid and is expected to prove useful for the assessment of patients' self-management behavior and for individualized instruction.

Patient education in the management of coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a complex multifaceted intervention consisting of three core modalities: education, exercise training and psychological support. Whilst exercise and psychological interventions for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) have been the subject of Cochrane systematic reviews, the specific impact of the educational component of CR has not previously been investigated.

OBJECTIVES

1. Assess effects of patient education on mortality, morbidity, health-related quality of life (HRQofL) and healthcare costs in patients with CHD.2. Explore study level predictors of the effects of patient education (e.g. individual versus group intervention, timing with respect to index cardiac event).

SEARCH METHODS

The following databases were searched: The Cochrane Library, (CENTRAL, CDSR, DARE, HTA, NHSEED), MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE (OVID), PsycINFO (EBSCOhost) and CINAHL (EBSCOhost). Previous systematic reviews and reference lists of included studies were also searched. No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) where the primary interventional intent was education.2. Studies with a minimum of six-months follow-up and published in 1990 or later.3. Adults with diagnosis of CHD.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors selected studies and extracted data. Attempts were made to contact all study authors to obtain relevant information not available in the published manuscript. For dichotomous variables, risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived for each outcome. For continuous variables, mean differences and 95% CI were calculated for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirteen RCTs involving 68,556 subjects with CHD and follow-up from six to 60 months were found. Overall, methodological quality of included studies was moderate to good. Educational 'dose' ranged from a total of two clinic visits to a four-week residential stay with 11 months of follow-up sessions. Control groups typically received usual medical care. There was no strong evidence of an effect of education on all-cause mortality (Relative Risk (RR): 0.79, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.13), cardiac morbidity (subsequent myocardial infarction RR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.48, revascularisation RR: 0.58, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.71) or hospitalisation (RR: 0.83, 95% CI:0.65 to 1.07). Whilst some HRQofL domain scores were higher with education, there was no consistent evidence of superiority across all domains. Different currencies and years studies were performed making direct comparison of healthcare costs challenging, although there is evidence to suggest education may be cost-saving by reducing subsequent healthcare utilisation.This review had insufficient power to exclude clinically important effects of education on mortality and morbidity of patients with CHD.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We did not find strong evidence that education reduced all cause mortality, cardiac morbidity, revascularisation or hospitalisation compared to control. There was some evidence to suggest that education may improve HRQofL and reduce overall healthcare costs. Whilst our findings are generally supportive of current guidelines that CR should include not only exercise and psychological interventions, further research into education is needed.

Current guidance on the management of acute coronary syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) describes a spectrum of symptoms arising from the development of atherosclerosis. The degree of myocardial ischaemia depends on plaque stability and the extent of vessel occlusion. This article examines underlying pathophysiological processes and reviews current guidance and principles of managing ACS through symptom control, reducing mortality and maximizing secondary prevention. Nurses have a vital role in all aspects of delivering this care and meeting National Service Framework Standards for Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD) (2000). A clear understanding of the pathophysiological basis for ACS will reinforce clinical work, particularly in the recognition, monitoring and early management.