scholarly journals Effects of a person-centred telephone support on fatigue in people with chronic heart failure: Subgroup analysis of a randomised controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 393-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Wallström ◽  
Lilas Ali ◽  
Inger Ekman ◽  
Karl Swedberg ◽  
Andreas Fors

Introduction: Fatigue is a prevalent symptom that is associated with various conditions. In patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), fatigue is one of the most commonly reported and distressing symptoms and it is associated with disease progression. Person-centred care (PCC) is a fruitful approach to increase the patient’s ability to handle their illness. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PCC in the form of structured telephone support on self-reported fatigue in patients with CHF. Method: This study reports a subgroup analysis of a secondary outcome measure from the Care4Ourselves randomised intervention. Patients ( n=77) that were at least 50 years old who had been hospitalized due to worsening CHF received either usual care ( n=38) or usual care and PCC in the form of structured telephone support ( n=39). Participants in the intervention group created a health plan in partnership with a registered nurse. The plan was followed up and evaluated by telephone. Self-reported fatigue was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory 20 (MFI-20) at baseline and at 6 months. Linear regression was used to analyse the change in MFI-20 score between the groups. Results: The intervention group improved significantly from baseline to the 6-month follow-up compared with the control group regarding the ‘reduced motivation’ dimension of the MFI-20 (Δ -1.41 versus 0.38, p=0.046). Conclusion: PCC in the form of structured telephone support shows promise in supporting patients with CHF in their rehabilitation, improve health-related quality of life and reduce adverse events. Trial registration ISRCTN.com ISRCTN55562827

Author(s):  
Cristina Silva Arruda ◽  
Juliana de Melo Vellozo Pereira ◽  
Lyvia da Silva Figueiredo ◽  
Bruna dos Santos Scofano ◽  
Paula Vanessa Peclat Flores ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effect of the orientation group on therapeutic adherence and self-care among patients with chronic heart failure. Method: Randomized controlled trial with 27 patients with chronic heart failure. The intervention group received nursing consultations and participated in group meetings with the multi-professional team. The control group only received nursing consultations in a period of four months. Questionnaires validated for use in Brazil were applied in the beginning and in the end of the study to assess self-care outcomes and adherence to treatment. Categorical variables were expressed through frequency and percentage distributions and the continuous variables through mean and standard deviation. The comparison between the initial and final scores of the intervention and control groups was done through the Student’s t-test. Results: The mean adherence in the intervention group was 13.9 ± 3.6 before the study and 4.8 ± 2.3 after the study. In the control group it was 14.2 ± 3.4 before the study and 14.7 ± 3.5 after the study. The self-care confidence score was lower after the intervention (p=0.01). Conclusion: The orientation group does not improve adherence to treatment and self-care management and maintenance and it may reduce confidence in self-care. Registry REBEC RBR-7r9f2m.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiankun Chen ◽  
Wei Jiang ◽  
Thomas P. Olson ◽  
Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg ◽  
Zehuai Wen ◽  
...  

Aims: The Baduanjin Eight-Silken-Movements wIth Self-Efficacy building for Heart Failure (BESMILE-HF) program is a contextually adapted cardiac rehabilitation program. It uses a traditional Chinese exercise, Baduanjin, to solve the unmet demand of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs due to their scarcity and unaffordability in China. This pilot study assesses BESMILE-HF's feasibility and preliminary effects.Methods: Eighteen patients with chronic heart failure were included: 8 in a BESMILE-HF group (age: 67 ± 5 years, EF: 40.4 ± 13.6%) and 10 in a control group (age: 70 ± 13 years, EF: 42.9 ± 12.5%). Both received the usual medications, with the intervention group receiving additionally the BESMILE-HF program for 6 weeks. Feasibility was explored by participants' involvement in the intended intervention. Clinical outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention, while adverse events were captured throughout the study period.Results: The BESMILE-HF program was well-received by patients, and adherence to the intervention was good. The intervention group completed all required home exercises and total home-practice time was correlated with baseline self-efficacy (r = 0.831, p = 0.011). Moreover, after 6 weeks, self-efficacy increased in the BESMILE-HF group (p = 0.028) and the change was higher than in the control [mean difference (MD): 3.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6–5.9, p = 0.004]. For the exercise capacity, the control group demonstrated a significant decline in peak oxygen consumption (p =0.018) whereas, the BESMILE-HF group maintained their exercise capacity (p = 0.063). Although the between-group difference was not statistically significance, there was clear clinical improvement in the BESMILE-HF group (1.5 mL/kg/min, 95% CI, −0.3 to 3.2 vs. minimal clinically important difference of 1 mL/kg/min). Throughout the study period, no adverse events related to the intervention were captured.Conclusions: BESMILE-HF is feasible for patients with chronic heart failure in Chinese settings. A larger sample size and a longer follow-up period is needed to confirm its benefit on clinical outcomes.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03180320.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Dorsch ◽  
Karen B. Farris ◽  
Brigid E. Rowell ◽  
Scott L. Hummel ◽  
Todd M. Koelling

BACKGROUND Successful management of heart failure (HF) involves guideline based medical therapy as well as self-care behavior. As a result, the management of HF is moving toward a proactive real-time technological model of assisting patients with monitoring and self-management. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application intervention that enhances self-monitoring on health-related quality of life, self-management, and reduces HF readmissions. METHODS A single-center randomized controlled trial was performed. Patients greater than 45 years of age and admitted for acute decompensated HF or recently discharged in the past 4 weeks were included. The intervention group used a mobile application (App). The intervention prompted daily self-monitoring and promoted self-management. The control group (No App) received usual care. The primary outcome was the change in Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) from baseline to 6 and 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes were the Self-Care Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) questionnaire and recurrent HF admissions. RESULTS Eighty-three patients were enrolled and completed all baseline assessments. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups with the exception of HF etiology. The App group had a reduced MLHFQ at 6 weeks (37.5 ± 3.5 vs. 48.2 ± 3.7, P=0.039) but not at 12 weeks (44.2 ± 4 vs. 45.9 ± 4, P=0.778) compared to No App. There was no effect of the App on the SCHFI at 6 or 12 weeks. The time to first HF admission was not statistically different between the App versus No App groups (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.39-2.02, P=0.781) over 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS The mobile application intervention improved MLHFQ at 6 weeks, but did not sustain its effects at 12 weeks. No effect was seen on HF self-care. Further research is needed to enhance engagement in the application for a longer period of time and to determine if the application can reduce HF admissions in a larger study. CLINICALTRIAL NCT03149510


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2161
Author(s):  
Jae Yun Sung ◽  
Ju Mi Kim ◽  
Jae Yul Hwang ◽  
Kyoung Nam Kim ◽  
Jae Young Kim ◽  
...  

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of primary early endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EnDCR) in acute dacryocystitis (AD) and to determine the optimal timing for surgery. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was performed on consecutive patients who underwent primary early EnDCR (within 1 week) for AD between May 2010 and June 2020 (AD group) and an age- and gender-matched control group of NLDO patients who underwent EnDCR (non-AD group). The primary outcome measures were the surgical outcomes at the final follow-up examination. The secondary outcome measure was the clinical course of AD patients. Subgroup analysis was performed to determine the optimal timing of surgery by comparing the outcomes of very early EnDCR (within 3 days) and those of early EnDCR (between 4 and 7 days). Results: Forty-one patients were included in the AD group and 82 patients in the non-AD group. The anatomical and functional success rates were 87.8% and 82.9% in the AD group, and 91.5% and 84.1% in the non-AD group, which were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.532 and p = 0.863). In the AD group, the mean times for pain relief and resolution of swelling after surgery were 2.4 and 6.5 days after surgery, respectively. In the subgroup analysis according to the timing of surgery, the time for symptom resolution after diagnosis, the length of hospital stays, and the duration of antibiotic treatments were significantly shorter after very early EnDCR (all ps < 0.05), whereas the surgical outcomes were not different between the two groups (p = 1.000). Conclusions: Primary early EnDCR is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of AD. In particular, very early EnDCR performed within 3 days leads to faster recovery and shortens the course of antibiotic treatment.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Ding ◽  
Rajiv Jayasena ◽  
Sheau Huey Chen ◽  
Andrew Maiorana ◽  
Alison Dowling ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Telemonitoring enables care providers to remotely support outpatients in self-managing chronic heart failure (CHF), but the objective assessment of patient compliance with self-management recommendations has seldom been studied. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate patient compliance with self-management recommendations of an innovative telemonitoring enhanced care program for CHF (ITEC-CHF). METHODS We conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial with a 6-month follow-up. The ITEC-CHF program comprised the provision of Bluetooth-enabled scales linked to a call center and nurse care services to assist participants with weight monitoring compliance. Compliance was defined a priori as weighing at least 4 days per week, analyzed objectively from weight recordings on the scales. The intention-to-treat principle was used to perform the analysis. RESULTS A total of 184 participants (141/184, 76.6% male), with a mean age of 70.1 (SD 12.3) years, were randomized to receive either ITEC-CHF (n=91) or usual care (control; n=93), of which 67 ITEC-CHF and 81 control participants completed the intervention. For the compliance criterion of weighing at least 4 days per week, the proportion of compliant participants in the ITEC-CHF group was not significantly higher than that in the control group (ITEC-CHF: 67/91, 74% vs control: 56/91, 60%; <i>P</i>=.06). However, the proportion of ITEC-CHF participants achieving the stricter compliance standard of at least 6 days a week was significantly higher than that in the control group (ITEC-CHF: 41/91, 45% vs control: 23/93, 25%; <i>P</i>=.005). CONCLUSIONS ITEC-CHF improved participant compliance with weight monitoring, although the withdrawal rate was high. Telemonitoring is a promising method for supporting both patients and clinicians in the management of CHF. However, further refinements are required to optimize this model of care. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12614000916640; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366691


Author(s):  
Angela Chu ◽  
Tyler M Rose ◽  
Danielle A Gundrum ◽  
Tressa E McMorris ◽  
Eytan A Klausner ◽  
...  

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Pharmacists report high levels of burnout. Mindfulness approaches have been demonstrated to have positive results in the general population and in other healthcare professions. However, limited studies have been performed evaluating mindfulness approaches in student pharmacists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily use of a mindfulness mobile application in improving student pharmacists’ perceived stress, burnout, and mindfulness. Methods This study was a randomized, longitudinal, waitlist-controlled trial. The intervention group was asked to meditate using the mindfulness application Headspace daily for at least 6 weeks. The waitlist control group was asked to abstain from using the application for the entire study. Stress, burnout, and mindfulness were assessed using validated survey instruments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. A secondary outcome was to assess the persistence of application use after the intervention period. Results Fifty-six participants completed the study. The intervention group reported significantly lower scores on stress and burnout at 6 weeks compared to the control group. The intervention group also reported significantly higher scores on mindfulness. The differences in stress, burnout, and mindfulness persisted at follow-up. The mean percentage of students in the intervention group who used the application each day was 90% over the intervention period and 62% over the follow-up period. Conclusion A mindfulness mobile application significantly improved student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness with daily use. Most participants continued to use the application for 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. Positive effects on stress and mindfulness persisted even with decreased use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-270

Background: Asthma is a disease that causes a lot of suffering. It becomes a hurdle in everyday life. Asthma self-care program through mobile Line application (SALA) might be a good choice to help resolving this problem. Objective: To evaluate effectiveness of SALA program among asthma patients. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial. The study sample consisted of 62 participants aged between 20 to 60 years with mild to moderate asthma. The study sample were randomly assigned to intervention plus usual care (intervention group, n=31) or usual care (control group, n=31) by computer generated. SALA program was sent to participants once a week for two months through their mobile phone, drug reminder appointment date for four months. The study period was six months. Clinical record form and Questionnaire were adapted to collect the demographic data and lung function via spirometer as FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC, PEFR, ACS, knowledge, attitude, and self-management. Mini Asthma Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire was used to collect the data. Intention to treat (ITT), Repeated ANOVA, and General Linear model were statistical technique used to analyze the data. Results: Data from 60 asthma patients were available for analyses. The baseline characteristics of both groups were not significantly different. There were statistically significant mean differences in between the groups at three and six months. The mean difference in the following variables were FEV₁ 13.83 (5.01 to 22.65) FVC, 13.36 (2.62 to 24.09) FEV₁/FVC, 11.65 (4.8 to 18.49), PEFR 9.85 (0.03 to 19.67), ACS 2.45 (0.62 to 4.27), knowledge 2.64 (0.81 to 4.46), and self-management 4.26 (2.00 to 6.52). Conclusion: SALA improved knowledge, self-management, asthma status, and lung function among asthma patients. Keywords: Asthma, Self-care program, Mobile line application


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesli E Skolarus ◽  
Maria Cielito Robles ◽  
Springer Mellanie ◽  
Chun Chieh Lin ◽  
Casey Corches ◽  
...  

Introduction: Stroke pre-hospital delay has not improved over time. Hypothesis: Stroke Ready, a very brief (5 minute), theory based, peer-led, stroke preparedness intervention, will increase stroke response compared with a control intervention. Methods: We performed a randomized, single-blind controlled trial among adults in Flint, MI. The stroke preparedness intervention group received a Stroke Ready pamphlet and action plan, while the control group received stroke prevention materials - both delivered during a one-to-one interaction with a trained peer educator. Research staff, blinded to group intervention assignment, assessed baseline and immediate post-intervention outcomes. Primary outcome was change in stroke response (behavioral intent to call 911) using a community-modified stroke action test (range 0-12). Secondary outcome was change in stroke symptom recognition (range 0-8). We conducted descriptive analyses and used a linear regression model to evaluate the effect of the intervention on stroke response after adjustment for pre-intervention intent, age, education, race, marital status, history of stroke, stroke in someone they know and psychological constructs. Results: We enrolled 129 participants (74 intervention; 55 control). Mean age was 60 years (SD 14); 61% were women, 89% were African American and 19% were not high school graduates. Intervention participants had greater improvement in stroke response than control participants (figure 1), which remained after full adjustment (improvement in average score for stroke response was 1.7 higher in intervention participants than control participants, 95% CI 0.9-2.5, p<0.0001). There was no difference in stroke symptom recognition (figure 1). Conclusion: The Stroke Ready very brief intervention increased stroke response. This new approach using a very brief, one-to-one interaction with trained peer educators is a promising, scalable, intervention to increase stroke response.


Author(s):  
Iñaki Aguirrezabal ◽  
Maria Soledad Pérez de San Román ◽  
Raquel Cobos-Campos ◽  
Estibalitz Orruño ◽  
Arturo Goicoechea ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a primary care-based group educational intervention about concepts of pain neuroscience for the management of migraine compared to the routine medical care delivered to patients with this condition. Background: The way pain is understood has been radically changed in recent decades, thanks to developments in the field of neuroscience. Thus, migraine may develop as a result of an exaggerated perception of threat that activates the pain neuromatrix, which might be modifiable, from a learning perspective, by adjusting the beliefs and behaviours that favour the onset of an attack. Methods: A randomised controlled trial was carried out in five primary care health centres of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country, Spain). The follow-up period was 12 months. The main outcome measure was the reduction in days lost due to migraine-related disability according to the Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS) score. Secondary outcome measures included the intensity and frequency of the pain and the number of analgesic drugs taken in the previous three months. A positive response to treatment was considered when the MIDAS score decreased by at least 50% from baseline. Findings: Days lost due to migraine-related disability decreased by at least 50% in 68.9% (n = 37) of patients in the intervention group and 34.6% of patients in the control group (n = 18) (P < 0.001). The intensity of the headache [odds ratio (OR) 9.116; P = 0.005] and the medication intake (OR 13.267; P < 0.001) were also significantly reduced with the intervention. Conclusions: The provision of suitable information through a group educational intervention delivered in primary care appears to be effective in preventing migraine attacks. Moreover, the intervention could offer a new cost-effective management alternative that seems to reduce the need for pharmacological treatment in patients with migraine.


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