Patient-Selected Strategies for Post Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Adherence in Heart Failure

Jessica Nielsen, Kathleen Duncan, Bunny Pozehl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of patient-selected exercise adherence strategies following cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Design Twenty patients with heart failure (HF) were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention or control group at completion of CR. Methods The intervention included the use of six adherence strategies (logs, graphs, pedometers, phone follow-up, education, and a letter from CR staff), which were provided for 6 weeks post CR and during home-based exercise. After 6 weeks, the intervention group selected strategies to continue, and only those were provided for the last 6 weeks. At 12 weeks, patients were retested. Findings Patients with HF demonstrated improvement in distance walked and less HF symptoms and adhered to exercise at levels recommended during CR. Conclusion Inclusion of patient-selected adherence strategies supports continued exercise and helps to sustain physiological improvements. Clinical Relevance Results from this study have implications for CR programs serving HF patients and provide insight into adherence strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)181-185
Number of pages5
JournalRehabilitation Nursing
Volume44
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2019

Keywords

  • Cardiac patients
  • cardiac rehabilitation
  • exercise adherence
  • heart failure
  • patient compliance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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