Development, psychometric testing, and revision of the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test

Formulation and application of the "hospital-to-home + online-to-offline" treatment scheme in caring for and supporting vulnerable patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the terminal stage of cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the "hospital-to-home + online-to-offline" (H2H + O2O) care scheme was implemented for patients with CHF during vulnerable periods, and its effect was evaluated.

METHODS

Patients with CHF in the cardiovascular department of a Class III/Grade A hospital in Jiangxi Province from January to December 2020 were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly divided into a control and intervention group (n= 100 each). The patients in the control group received routine in-hospital treatment and out-of-hospital follow-up, while in the intervention group, a multi-disciplinary cooperation team with CHF specialist nurses evaluated and stratified the patients before discharge and formulated individualized prescriptions and care plans. Based on the "Health & Happiness" chronic disease follow-up application designed for this study, the specialist nurses provided patients with one-to-one guidance. After three months, the cardiac function, heart failure knowledge, self-care behavior, and re-hospitalization rate of the patients were compared between the two groups. Cardiac function was evaluated by the serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and a six-minute walking test (6MWT). Heart failure knowledge and self-care behavior was assessed using specific questionaries.

RESULTS

The level of cardiac function in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.001). The mastery of heart failure knowledge and self-care behavior in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P< 0.05). The re-hospitalization rate due to CHF in the intervention group was 21.0%, which was lower than that in the control group (35.0%), and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The H2H + O2O care scheme can be used for the transition of vulnerable patients with CHF from the hospital to family care to improve the patients' level of cardiac function, elevate their knowledge level and self-care abilities, and improve their overall health outcomes.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Evaluation of the Third Version of the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test

Background and Purpose: This study is aimed at translating the third version of the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test (AHFKTv3) into the Persian language and evaluating its psychometric properties. Methods: In this methodological study, the AHFKTv3 was translated into Persian and its face, content, construct validity, and reliability were assessed. Results: The content validity of AHFKTv3 items was >0.78 and the validity of the instrument was 0.96. The standardized factor loading value of all items, except for item 16, was >0.3. The scores of the AHFKTv3 and European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale had a significant correlation with each other (p < .001). The AHFKTv3 score had a significant relationship with the educational level. The Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 coefficient was 0.908. Conclusion: The Persian AHFKTv3 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing HF-related knowledge; therefore, it can be used in nursing practice to identify and address the deficits aiming for better patient care and in research to evaluate treatment and healthcare programs.

Sensor-Controlled Digital Game for Heart Failure Self-management: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization among older adults in the United States. There are substantial racial and geographic disparities in HF outcomes, with patients living in southern US states having a mortality rate 69% higher than the national average. Self-management behaviors, particularly daily weight monitoring and physical activity, are extremely important in improving HF outcomes; however, patients typically have particularly low adherence to these behaviors. With the rise of digital technologies to improve health outcomes and motivate health behaviors, sensor-controlled digital games (SCDGs) have become a promising approach. SCDGs, which leverage sensor-connected technologies, offer the benefits of being portable and scalable and allowing for continuous observation and motivation of health behaviors in their real-world contexts. They are also becoming increasingly popular among older adults and offer an immersive and accessible way to measure self-management behaviors and improve adherence. No SCDGs have been designed for older adults or evaluated to test their outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This randomized clinical trial aims to assess the efficacy of a SCDG in integrating the behavioral data of participants with HF from weight scale and activity tracker sensors to activate game progress, rewards, and feedback and, ultimately, to improve adherence to important self-management behaviors.

METHODS

A total of 200 participants with HF, aged ≥45 years, will be recruited and randomized into 2 groups: the SCDG playing group (intervention group) and sensor-only group (control group). Both groups will receive a weight scale, physical activity tracker, and accompanying app, whereas only the intervention group will play the SCDG. This design, thereby, assesses the contributions of the game. All participants will complete a baseline survey as well as posttests at 6 and 12 weeks to assess the immediate effect of the intervention. They will also complete a third posttest at 24 weeks to assess the maintenance of behavioral changes. Efficacy and benefits will be assessed by measuring improvements in HF-related proximal outcomes (self-management behaviors of daily weight monitoring and physical activity) and distal outcomes (HF hospitalization, quality of life, and functional status) between baseline and weeks 6, 12, and 24. The primary outcome measured will be days with weight monitoring, for which this design provides at least 80% power to detect differences between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Recruitment began in the fall of 2022, and the first patient was enrolled in the study on November 7, 2022. Recruitment of the last participant is expected in quarter 1 of 2025. Publication of complete results and data from this study is expected in 2026.

CONCLUSIONS

This project will generate insight and guidance for scalable and easy-to-use digital gaming solutions to motivate persistent adherence to HF self-management behaviors and improve health outcomes among individuals with HF.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05056129; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05056129.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/45801.

Supporting patients with heart failure with digital therapeutics-A pilot study in Germany

Objective

Continuous monitoring and targeted behavioral interventions have been shown to improve health status and quality of life for heart failure patients. Digital therapeutics offer the possibility to make more frequent monitoring and targeted behavioral interventions available for more people.

Methods

We conduct a pilot study with 71 patients who were given a smartphone app and wearables for a 3-month period. Clinical indicators as well as patient-reported outcomes were collected at entry and exit examinations.

Results

The New York Heart Association class remained stable or improved. Most quantitative outcome measures improved (6-minute walk test distance + 21 m, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire summary score + 6.0 points, European Heard Failure Self-care Behavior Scale summary score + 6.6 points, correct answers in the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test + 2.1), although the changes were mainly not significantly different from zero. There was no change in EQ-5D weight and 9-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire summary score.

Conclusions

This before-after comparison shows that an app-based intervention can work as a digital therapeutic for heart failure patients.

Heart Smart: A Virtual Self-Management Intervention for Homebound People With Heart Failure: A Pilot Study

Heart failure is a chronic medical condition that requires lifelong self-management to optimize health. Self-management strategies include self-monitoring symptoms, managing medications, modifying the diet, and maintaining healthy activity levels. However, knowledge of self-management skills is insufficient; people with heart failure must develop self-efficacy in order to take action to improve their health. Self-management programs rely on group interaction to build self-efficacy, but specialized group interventions are inaccessible to individuals who are homebound. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of Heart Smart, a 5-week, virtual program to increase self-efficacy for heart failure self-management. Three participants were enrolled from a large academic home health system in the greater Philadelphia area. All 3 participants demonstrated improved scores on the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Diseases 6-Item Scale. Two out of the 3 participants had clinically important gains on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. All 3 participants made gains on the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test. Participants were able to log in and access the virtual meeting platform effectively with minimal training. Participant satisfaction within the group was high. These pilot study results indicate the potential for positive self-management gains, and larger scale trials of the Heart Smart intervention are recommended.

Feasibility of a Sensor-Controlled Digital Game for Heart Failure Self-management: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Poor self-management of heart failure (HF) contributes to devastating health consequences. Our innovative sensor-controlled digital game (SCDG) integrates data from sensors to trigger game rewards, progress, and feedback based on the real-time behaviors of individuals with HF.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare daily weight monitoring and physical activity behavior adherence by older adults using an SCDG intervention versus a sensors-only intervention in a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

English-speaking adults with HF aged 55 years or older who owned a smartphone and could walk unassisted were recruited from Texas and Oklahoma from November 2019 to August 2020. Both groups were given activity trackers and smart weighing scales to track behaviors for 12 weeks. The feasibility outcomes of recruitment, retention, intervention engagement, and satisfaction were assessed. In addition to daily weight monitoring and physical activity adherence, the participants' knowledge, functional status, quality of life, self-reported HF behaviors, motivation to engage in behaviors, and HF-related hospitalization were also compared between the groups at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 38 participants with HF-intervention group (IG; 19/38, 50%) and control group (CG; 19/38, 50%)-were enrolled in the study. Of the 38 participants, 18 (47%) were women, 18 (47%) were aged 65 years or older, 21 (55%) had been hospitalized with HF in the past 6 months, and 29 (76%) were White. Furthermore, of these 38 participants, 31 (82%)-IG (15/19, 79%) and CG (16/19, 84%)-had both weight monitoring and physical activity data at the end of 12 weeks, and 27 (71%)-IG (14/19, 74%) and CG (13/19, 68%)-participated in follow-up assessments at 24 weeks. For the IG participants who installed the SCDG app (15/19, 79%), the number of days each player opened the game app was strongly associated with the number of days the player engaged in weight monitoring (r=0.72; P=.04) and the number of days with physical activity step data (r=0.9; P<.001). The IG participants who completed the satisfaction survey (13/19, 68%) reported that the SCDG was easy to use. Trends of improvement in daily weight monitoring and physical activity in the IG, as well as within-group improvements in HF functional status, quality of life, knowledge, self-efficacy, and HF hospitalization in both groups, were observed in this feasibility trial.

CONCLUSIONS

Playing an SCDG on smartphones was feasible and acceptable for older adults with HF for motivating daily weight monitoring and physical activity. A larger efficacy trial of the SCDG intervention will be needed to validate trends of improvement in daily weight monitoring and physical activity behaviors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03947983; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03947983.

Use of mobile applications for heart failure self-management: a systematic review of experimental and qualitative studies (Preprint)

Background

Heart failure self-management is essential to avoid decompensation and readmissions. Mobile apps seem promising in supporting heart failure self-management, and there has been a rapid growth in publications in this area. However, to date, systematic reviews have mostly focused on remote monitoring interventions using nonapp types of mobile technologies to transmit data to health care providers, rarely focusing on supporting patient self-management of heart failure.

Objective

This study aims to systematically review the evidence on the effect of heart failure self-management apps on health outcomes, patient-reported outcomes, and patient experience.

Methods

Four databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched for studies examining interventions that comprised a mobile app targeting heart failure self-management and reported any health-related outcomes or patient-reported outcomes or perspectives published from 2008 to December 2021. The studies were independently screened. The risk of bias was appraised using Cochrane tools. We performed a narrative synthesis of the results. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD42020158041).

Results

A total of 28 articles (randomized controlled trials [RCTs]: n=10, 36%), assessing 23 apps, and a total of 1397 participants were included. The most common app features were weight monitoring (19/23, 83%), symptom monitoring (18/23, 78%), and vital sign monitoring (15/23, 65%). Only 26% (6/23) of the apps provided all guideline-defined core components of heart failure self-management programs: education, symptom monitoring, medication support, and physical activity support. RCTs were small, involving altogether 717 participants, had ≤6 months of follow-up, and outcomes were predominantly self-reported. Approximately 20% (2/10) of RCTs reported a significant improvement in their primary outcomes: heart failure knowledge (P=.002) and self-care (P=.004). One of the RCTs found a significant reduction in readmissions (P=.02), and 20% (2/10) of RCTs reported higher unplanned clinic visits. Other experimental studies also found significant improvements in knowledge, self-care, and readmissions, among others. Less than half of the studies involved patients and clinicians in the design of apps. Engagement with the intervention was poorly reported, with only 11% (3/28) of studies quantifying app engagement metrics such as frequency of use over the study duration. The most desirable app features were automated self-monitoring and feedback, personalization, communication with clinicians, and data sharing and integration.

Conclusions

Mobile apps may improve heart failure self-management; however, more robust evaluation studies are needed to analyze key end points for heart failure. On the basis of the results of this review, we provide a road map for future studies in this area.

A constructivist approach to teaching patients with heart failure: results from an intervention study

AIMS

Despite published guidelines emphasizing the importance of education in the management of heart failure (HF), the most effective method of education remains unknown. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of constructivist teaching method (CTM) on the patients with HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a single-centre, randomized controlled trial. Patients in the intervention group were educated using the CTM in five phases: orientation, elicitation, restructuring, application, and review. The duration of intervention was 6 months. For the study outcome measures, five questionnaires were used: Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test (AHFK), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (HMLHFQ), Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS), European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale (EHFScBS-9), and Duke Activity Status Index (DASI). A total of 122 adults (83.6% male, mean age ± standard deviation 67.1 ± 12.3 years) were enrolled in the study; 61 in the intervention group and 61 in the control group. At 6 months, the knowledge, the quality of life, the self-efficacy for appropriate medication use, the self-care behaviour, and the activity were improved in both groups but the degree of change was greater in the intervention group as indicated from the results of repeated measurements analysis of variance (P < 0.001). Significantly lower proportion of readmission at hospital at 1 month (8.2% vs. 23%, P = 0.025), and 6 months (13.1% vs. 36.1%, P = 0.003) were found for the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

Training of HF patients through the CTM helps effectively manage the disease while significantly reducing hospital readmissions due to decompensation.

Habits Heart App for Patient Engagement in Heart Failure Management: Pilot Feasibility Randomized Trial

Background

Due to the complexity and chronicity of heart failure, engaging yet simple patient self-management tools are needed.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and patient engagement with a smartphone app designed for heart failure.

Methods

Patients with heart failure were randomized to intervention (smartphone with the Habits Heart App installed and Bluetooth-linked scale) or control (paper education material) groups. All intervention group patients were interviewed and monitored closely for app feasibility while receiving standard of care heart failure management by cardiologists. The Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test, a quality of life survey (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire), and weight were assessed at baseline and final visits.

Results

Patients (N=28 patients; intervention: n=15; control: n=13) with heart failure (with reduced ejection fraction: 15/28, 54%; male: 20/28, 71%, female: 8/28, 29%; median age 63 years) were enrolled, and 82% of patients (N=23; intervention: 12/15, 80%; control: 11/13, 85%) completed both baseline and final visits (median follow up 60 days). In the intervention group, 2 out of the 12 patients who completed the study did not use the app after study onboarding due to illnesses and hospitalizations. Of the remaining 10 patients who used the app, 5 patients logged ≥1 interaction with the app per day on average, and 2 patients logged an interaction with the app every other day on average. The intervention group averaged 403 screen views (per patient) in 56 distinct sessions, 5-minute session durations, and 22 weight entries per patient. There was a direct correlation between duration of app use and improvement in heart failure knowledge (Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test score; ρ=0.59, P=.04) and quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score; ρ=0.63, P=.03). The correlation between app use and weight change was ρ=–0.40 (P=.19). Only 1 out of 11 patients in the control group retained education material by the follow-up visit.

Conclusions

The Habits Heart App with a Bluetooth-linked scale is a feasible way to engage patients in heart failure management, and barriers to app engagement were identified. A larger multicenter study may be warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of the app.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03238729; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03238729

Content validation of the nursing outcome Knowledge Heart Failure Management: Brazilian nurses' opinions

PURPOSE

To estimate the content validity of the outcome Knowledge: Heart Failure Management (1835) of the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC).

METHODS

A methodological study conducted in Brazil with nurses with expertise in cardiovascular nursing and nursing process. The nurse experts evaluated the relevance of the indicators for the nursing outcome on a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 55 indicators were analyzed, including 50 NOC indicators, four indicators located from a scoping review, and one suggested by an expert during the content validation process. The relevance ratio supported the categorization of indicators as critical, supplemental, or unnecessary. Relevance ratios of critical and supplemental indicators were summed and divided by the total number of the indicators to calculate the outcome content validity (OCV) score of the nursing outcome.

FINDINGS

Fifteen nurse experts, mostly females (n = 13) with a mean age of 36.0 ± 6.3 years, 13.9 ± 6.5 years of professional experience, and extensive use of the nursing process in their clinical practice (n = 10), teaching (n = 13), and research (n = 11), participated in this study. Regarding the content validation, 43 (78.2%) out of 55 indicators were categorized as critical (relevance ratio .80-.98), 11 (20%) as supplemental (relevance ratio .67-.79), and one indicator (1.8%) was categorized as unnecessary (relevance ratio .48). The OCV score of the nursing outcome was .87.

CONCLUSION

The study provided evidence of content validity of 49 indicators of the NOC outcome, Knowledge: Heart Failure Management, and five new indicators identified through the validation process based on nurse experts' opinions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NURSING PRACTICE

These findings provide evidence-based indicators for the measurement of heart failure patients' knowledge about disease management. As a result, nurses can test the effectiveness of nursing interventions based on valid outcome indicators.

Theory-guided interventions for Chinese patients to adapt to heart failure: A quasi-experimental study

Objectives

To examine the effects of the Roy Adaptation Model-based interventions on adaptation in persons with heart failure.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Hangzhou, China, from March 2018 to November 2019. A convenience sample of 112 participants with heart failure from a multi-campus hospital was enrolled. Participants were allocated into an intervention group (n = 55) and a control group (n = 57) according to their hospitalized campus. A culturally-tailored care plan intervention based on the Roy Adaptation Model was performed in the intervention group. The control group received bedside patient education and a regular booklet for HF home care before discharge. Heart ultrasound, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), a knowledge survey, Self-care Heart failure Index (SCHFI), and Coping and Adaptation Processing Scale-Short Form (CAPS-SF) were used to measure patients’ levels of adaptation of physical function, self-concept, role function, and interdependence at baseline and six months after discharge.

Results

Ninety-one participants with complete data, 43 in the intervention group and 48 in the control group, were included in the analysis for the primary endpoints and showed adaptive improvement trends. Most patients in the intervention group completed 60% or more of the given interventions. At the sixth month after discharge, compared with the control group, the intervention group had improved adaptive behaviors showing higher scores of the MLHFQ (70.90 ± 22.45 vs. 54.78 ± 18.04), heart failure-related knowledge (13.79 ± 2.45 vs. 10.73 ± 4.28), SCHFI maintenance (57.67 ± 13.22 vs. 50.35 ± 10.88), and CAPS-SF (40.23 ± 4.36 vs. 38.27 ± 2.60) at the six-month follow-up (P ＜ 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the scores of left ventricular ejection fraction, scores of SCHFI management and SCHFI confidence subscales (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings reported evidence of positive adaptation in patients with heart failure, indicating that the Roy Adaptation Model is an effective guide for developing an implemented framework for the nursing practice of the patients. The culturally-tailored care plan intervention is helpful to improve adaptation of patients with heart failure.

Self-care behavior: a new insight of the role of impulsivity into decision making process in persons with heart failure

Background

Self-care behavior has been reported to be below optimum in persons with heart failure, while the underlying decision making is not well understood. The Hot/Cool System model is a psychological model that may have potential applications in decision making process in persons with heart failure. The aim of this study was to examine the decision making process in self-care behavior in persons with heart failure in the light of the Hot/Cool System model.

Methods

We used the Hoot/Cool System Model to guide this study. Participants with heart failure from in-patients setting (N = 107) were recruited. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Moderated mediation analysis was used to study complex relationships among study variables.

Results

The current study showed that impulsivity and perceived stress were negatively associated with self-care behavior. The results also showed that self-care confidence and impulsivity significantly predict self-care maintenance. The moderated mediation analysis revealed that self-care confidence mediated the relationship between impulsivity and self-care maintenance at lower levels of perceived stress, but not at higher levels of perceived stress.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that persons with heart failure tend to make impulsive choices that may negatively affect disease progression under higher levels of perceived stress. This study provides foundational knowledge regarding the decision making process in persons with heart failure.

Structured Telephone Support Intervention: Improved Heart Failure Outcomes

Background

Presently, 6.5 million Americans are living with heart failure (HF). These patients are expected to follow a complex self-management regimen at home. Several demographic and psychosocial factors limit patients with HF in following the prescribed self-management recommendations at home. Poor self-care is associated with increased hospital readmissions. Under the Affordable Care Act, there are financial implications related to hospital readmissions for hospitals and programs such as the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Pinellas County, Florida. Previous studies and systematic reviews demonstrated improvement in self-management and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HF with structured telephone support (STS) and SMS text messaging.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of STS and SMS on self-care, knowledge, medication adherence, and QoL of patients with HF.

Methods

A prospective quality improvement project using a pre-post design was implemented. Data were collected at baseline, 30 days, and 3 months from 51 patients with HF who were enrolled in PACE in Pinellas County, Florida. All participants received STS and SMS for 30 days. The feasibility and sustained benefit of using STS and SMS was assessed at a 3-month follow-up.

Results

A paired t test was used to compare the mean difference in HF outcomes at the baseline and 30-day follow-up, which demonstrated improved HF self-care maintenance (t₄₉=0.66; P=.01), HF knowledge (t₄₉=0.71; P=.01), medication adherence (t₄₉=0.92; P=.01), and physical and mental health measured using Short-Form-12 (SF-12; t₄₉=0.81; P=.01). The results also demonstrated the sustained benefit with improved HF self-care maintenance, self-care management, self-care confidence, knowledge, medication adherence, and physical and mental health (SF-12) at 3 months with P<.05 for all outcomes. Living status and social support had a strong correlation with HF outcomes. Younger participants (aged less than 65 years) performed extremely well compared with older adults.

Conclusions

STS and SMS were feasible to use among PACE participants with sustained benefits at 3 months. Implementing STS and SMS may serve as viable options to improve HF outcomes. Improving outcomes with HF affects hospital systems and the agencies that monitor and provide care for outpatients and those in independent or assisted-living facilities. Investigating viable options and support for implementation will improve outcomes.

Using Atlanta Heart Failure Questionnaire in ambulatory heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction HFPEF

OBJECTIVES

The present study uses the Atlanta Heart Failure Questionnaire as a tool to evaluate and design a tailored education material for ambulatory heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction, highlighting the strengths and weakness toward the planning of education programs.

METHODS

A total of 450 patients were screened; 112 patients were recruited, and 27-item was used to evaluate the usefulness of this questionnaire. All patients received education by a dedicated medical education about the nature of the disease, risk factors and management including prevention of complications. Descriptive statistics were used for assessing the sample characteristics.

RESULTS

In the assessment of patient disease knowledge, in a 7-item questionnaire, the most well-understood item was correctly identified in 95% patients, whereas the least-understood item was identified in 1.8% of patients. In the assessment of patient management knowledge, in a 6-item questionnaire, the most well-understood item was correctly identified in 50% of patients and the least-understood item was identified in 10% of patients. In the assessment of patient medication intake knowledge, in a 3-item questionnaire, the most well-understood item was correctly identified in 97.3% of patients and the least-understood item was identified in 26.6% of patients.

CONCLUSION

For a disease not fully understood, the study has concluded the usefulness of Atlanta Heart Failure Questionnaire for filling the gaps, setting a base line and follow-up in the process of educating ambulatory heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction HFPF.

Knowledge among patients with heart failure: A narrative synthesis of qualitative research

BACKGROUND

Patients' knowledge of heart failure (HF) is integral to improved outcomes. However, the HF literature has not adequately explored the nature of patients' knowledge of HF as part of their lived experience.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to characterize the nature of patients' knowledge of HF, in the context of living with the disease.

METHODS

We conducted a narrative synthesis of qualitative studies that addressed patients' knowledge of HF. Studies were systematically searched and retrieved from MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES databases. Findings were synthesized using an iterative coding process carried out by multiple analysts and reported following Enhancing Transparency in the Reporting of Qualitative Health Research (ENTREQ) criteria.

RESULTS

Analysis of 73 eligible articles produced five themes: the content that comprises HF knowledge; development of HF knowledge over time; application of HF knowledge for decision making; communication of information between clinicians and patients; and patients' experience of knowledge.

CONCLUSION

The nature of patients' knowledge of HF is both explicit and implicit, dynamic, and personal. This multidimensional model of knowledge-in-context calls for equally multidimensional research and intervention design.

Using video education to improve outcomes in heart failure

BACKGROUND

Heart Failure (HF) guidelines recommend HF self-care education. An optimal method of educating HF patients does not currently exist.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of supplementing usual HF education with video education and evaluate patients' satisfaction with video education.

METHODS

A mixed methods design was used. A convenience sample of 70 patients was recruited from an academic medical center. Participants completed the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test and the Self-care of Heart Failure Index before and after receiving video education, to measure HF knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-care respectively. Video usage and satisfaction with video education data were collected. All-cause 30-day readmissions data were compared to a historical group.

RESULTS

HF knowledge and self-care maintenance scores increased significantly. Self-efficacy, self-care management and all-cause 30-day readmissions did not significantly improve. Most HF patients were highly satisfied.

CONCLUSION

Supplementing usual HF education with VE was associated with improved HF knowledge and self-care maintenance.

Health Literacy and Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Heart failure (HF) remains the most common diagnosis of hospital admission among U.S. adults. Although diagnosis and treatment have improved, mortality rates have not changed, and mortality risk remains high after hospitalization. The current researchers examined how limited health literacy is associated with mortality risk in adults with recent hospitalization due to decompensated HF. Researchers conducted a systematic literature search, selecting three cohort and three intervention studies. The fixed-effect model was used. From the three cohort studies, 2,858 study participants were analyzed. Among participants, limited health literacy was associated with higher all-cause mortality (pooled odds ratio = 2.95; 95% confidence interval [2.34, 3.72]; p < 0.01; I² = 47.38%). However, none of the intervention studies showed an association between limited health literacy and cardiac (or all-cause) mortality. Future research should focus on the efficiency and safety of telehealth-based medicine in patients with HF, particularly those with limited health literacy. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2019; 12(2):91-108.].

Improving Health Outcomes for Low Health Literacy Heart Failure Patients

According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (2003), only 12% of U.S. adults have a proficient level of health literacy, with adults 65 years and older more likely to have a below basic or a basic health literacy level. An estimated 5.8 million individuals in the United States have heart failure (HF) and it is one of the most common reasons for those aged 65 and over to be hospitalized. Many patients with HF are at risk for poor health outcomes due to low health literacy. This article reviews the literature with regard to the effectiveness of methods used to address low health literacy among HF patients and describes a pilot study implemented by a home care agency in the northeast to address high HF readmission rates.

Shared heart failure knowledge and self-care outcomes in patient-caregiver dyads

BACKGROUND

Patient's knowledge about heart failure (HF) contributes to successful HF self-care, but less is known about shared patient-caregiver knowledge.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this analysis was to: 1) identify configurations of shared HF knowledge in patient-caregiver dyads; 2) characterize dyads within each configuration by comparing sociodemographic factors, HF characteristics, and psychosocial factors; and 3) quantify the relationship between configurations and patient self-care adherence to managing dietary sodium and HF medications.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data (N = 114 dyads, 53% spousal). Patient and caregiver HF knowledge was measured with the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test. Patient dietary sodium intake was measured by 3-day food record and 24 h urine sodium. Medication adherence was measured by Medication Events Monitoring System caps. Patient HF-related quality of life was measured by the Minnesota Heart Failure Questionnaire; caregiver health-related quality of life was measured by the Short Form-12 Physical Component Summary. Patient and caregiver depression were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Patient and caregiver perceptions of caregiver-provided autonomy support to succeed in heart failure self-care were measured by the Family Care Climate Questionnaire. Multilevel and latent class modeling were used to identify dyadic knowledge configurations. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to characterize differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics by configuration. Logistic/linear regression were used to quantify relationships between configurations and patient dietary sodium and medication adherence.

RESULTS

Two dyadic knowledge configurations were identified: "Knowledgeable Together" (higher dyad knowledge, less incongruence; N = 85, 75%) and "Knowledge Gap" (lower dyad knowledge, greater incongruence; N = 29, 25%). Dyads were more likely to be in the "Knowledgeable Together" group if they were White and more highly educated, if the patient had a higher ejection fraction, fewer depressive symptoms, and better autonomy support, and if the caregiver had better quality of life. In unadjusted comparisons, patients in the "Knowledge Gap" group were less likely to adhere to HF medication and diet. In adjusted models, significance was retained for dietary sodium only.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyads with higher shared HF knowledge are likely more successful with select self-care adherence behaviors.

Quantifying the relative importance to patients of avoiding symptoms and outcomes of heart failure

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate heart failure (HF) patients' disease knowledge and preferences for avoiding different disease outcomes.

METHODS

An online survey was administered to 400 individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of HF to elicit relative importance weights (RIWs) for avoiding 11 potential HF symptoms and outcomes using best-worst scaling. The survey also included questions about individuals' HF knowledge, and demographic and disease-experience characteristics. Differences in RIWs among sub-groups, defined by HF knowledge, caregiver support, age, recent hospitalization or emergency room visit for HF, health-related quality-of-life, and cardiac device experience were examined.

RESULTS

Relative to limitations in usual activities (RIW 1.00), respondents preferred avoiding severe, infrequent cardiovascular events (e.g. stroke [RIW 8.51], heart transplant [RIW 7.84], or heart attack [RIW 5.3]) most, followed by difficulty breathing (RIW 2.55), inability to enjoy life (RIW 1.84), cardiac device implantation (RIW 1.74), and atrial fibrillation (RIW 1.57). Patients preferred avoiding swelling (RIW 0.47) and fatigue (RIW 0.58) least. RIWs for avoiding severe, infrequent events were higher among those with high disease knowledge, those without caregivers, and those without a recent hospitalization or emergency room visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' preferences for avoiding HF outcomes vary across outcomes and by individuals' knowledge, caregiver status, and age. Healthcare providers should solicit and incorporate insights about patients' knowledge of HF and their preferences for avoiding HF outcomes into HF education and management planning efforts.

A Mobile Health Intervention to Improve Self-Care in Patients With Heart Failure: Pilot Randomized Control Trial

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive chronic disease affecting 6.5 million Americans and over 15 million individuals globally. Patients with HF are required to engage in complex self-care behaviors. Although the advancements in medicine have enabled people with HF to live longer, they often have poor health-related quality of life and experience severe and frequent symptoms that limit several aspects of their lives. Mobile phone apps have not only created new and interactive ways of communication between patients and health care providers but also provide a platform to enhance adherence to self-care management.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of a newly developed mobile app (HeartMapp) in improving self-care behaviors and quality of life of patients with HF and to calculate effect sizes for sample size calculation for a larger study.

METHODS

This was a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial. Participants were enrolled in the hospital before discharge and followed at home for 30 days. The intervention group used HeartMapp (n=9), whereas the control group (n=9) received HF education. These apps were downloaded onto their mobile phones for daily use.

RESULTS

A total of 72% (13/18) participants completed the study; the mean age of the participants was 53 (SD 4.02) years, 56% (10/18) were females, 61% (11/18) lived alone, 33% (6/18) were African Americans, and 61% (11/18) used mobile phone to get health information. The mean engagement with HeartMapp was 78%. Results were promising with a trend that participants in the HeartMapp group had a significant mean score change on self-care management (8.7 vs 2.3; t3.38=11, P=.01), self-care confidence (6.7 vs 1.8; t2.53=11, P=.28), and HF knowledge (3 vs -0.66; t2.37=11, P=.04. Depression improved among both groups, more so in the control group (-1.14 vs -5.17; t1.97=11, P=.07). Quality of life declined among both groups, more so in the control group (2.14 vs 9.0; t-1.43=11, P=.18).

CONCLUSIONS

The trends demonstrated in this pilot feasibility study warrant further exploration on the use of HeartMapp to improve HF outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Pilot study, no funding from National agencies, hence not registered.

The Third Time's a Charm: Psychometric Testing and Update of the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Since first being published in 2009, the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test (AHFKT) has proven a reliable and valid instrument and has been used in multiple studies. Given advances in heart failure (HF) self-care, we proposed to reevaluate the psychometric properties of the AHFKTv2 across these recent studies and update the instrument.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and baseline AHFKTv2 data from 4 intervention studies in persons with HF were combined for this analysis (N = 284). The 30 questions of the AHFKT are focused on 5 HF self-care knowledge domains: pathophysiology, nutrition, behavior, medications, and symptoms. Characteristics of the sample were analyzed using descriptive statistics; validity testing with t tests and Mann-Whitney 2-group tests and Pearson r and Spearman ρ correlations; and reliability calculations and factor analysis were performed based on tetrachoric correlations.

RESULTS

Participants were 22 to 84 years of age, 66% were African American, 63% were male, and 94% had New York Heart Association class II to III HF. Mean AHFKT score was 80.6% (±11%). Hypotheses that higher levels of knowledge would be associated with higher education level (t = -2.7, P < .01) and less sodium consumption (ρ = -0.22, P = .03) were validated. Factor analysis revealed 1 general knowledge factor with good reliability, Cronbach's α was .87. Item response analysis identified individual questions requiring review and revision.

CONCLUSION

Comprehensive psychometric evaluation of the AHFKTv2 confirmed its internal consistency reliability and validity and provided direction for production of the AHFKTv3 available for use in research and clinical practice.

Relationship of Health Literacy of Heart Failure Patients and Their Family Members on Heart Failure Knowledge and Self-Care

We explored the relationships among patients' and family members' (FMs) health literacy, heart failure (HF) knowledge, and self-care behaviors using baseline data from HF patients and their FMs ( N = 113 pairs) in a trial of a self-care intervention. Measures included Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, Atlanta HF Knowledge Test, a heart failure Medication Adherence Scale, and sodium intake (24-hr urine and 3-day food record). Patients with low health literacy (LHL) were more likely to have lower HF knowledge ( p < .001) and trended to poorer medication adherence ( p = .077) and higher sodium intake ( p = .072). When FMs had LHL, FMs were more likely to have lower HF knowledge ( p = .001) and patients trended toward higher sodium intake ( p = .067). When both patients and FMs had LHL, lowest HF knowledge and poorest medication adherence were observed ( p < .027). The health literacy of both patient and FM needs to be considered when designing interventions to foster self-care.

Self-Care Behaviors of African Americans Living with Heart Failure

African Americans have a higher risk of developing heart failure (HF) than persons from other ethnic groups. Once diagnosed, they have lower rates of HF self-care and poorer health outcomes. Promoting engagement in HF self-care is amenable to change and represents an important way to improve the health of African Americans with HF. This study used a community-based participatory action research methodology called photovoice to explore the practice of HF self-care among low-income, urban, community dwelling African Americans. Using the photovoice methodology, themes emerged regarding self-care management and self-care maintenance.

Interactive Digital e-Health Game for Heart Failure Self-Management: A Feasibility Study

OBJECTIVE

To develop and test the prototype of a serious digital game for improving community-dwelling older adults' heart failure (HF) knowledge and self-management behaviors. The serious game innovatively incorporates evidence-based HF guidelines with contemporary game technology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included three phases: development of the game prototype, its usability assessment, and evaluation of the game's functionality. Usability testing included researchers' usability assessment, followed by research personnel's observations of participants playing the game, and participants' completion of a usability survey. Next, in a pretest-post-test design, validated instruments-the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test and the Self Care for Heart Failure Index-were used to measure improvement in HF self-management knowledge and behaviors related to HF self-maintenance, self-management, and self-efficacy, respectively. A postgame survey assessed participants' perceptions of the game.

RESULTS

During usability testing, with seven participants, 100%, 100%, and 86% found the game easy to play, enjoyable, and helpful for learning about HF, respectively. In the subsequent functionality testing, with 19 participants, 89% found the game interesting, enjoyable, and easy to play. Playing the game resulted in a significant improvement in HF self-management knowledge, a nonsignificant improvement in self-reported behaviors related to HF self-maintenance, and no difference in HF self-efficacy scores. Participants with lower education level and age preferred games to any other medium for receiving information.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to develop a serious digital game that community-dwelling older adults with HF find both satisfying and acceptable and that can improve their self-management knowledge.

Relationships between activation level, knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-management behavior in heart failure patients discharged from rural hospitals

Non-adherence to self-management guidelines accounted for 50% of hospital readmissions in heart failure patients. Evidence showed that patient activation affects self-management behaviors in populations living with chronic conditions. The purpose of this study was to describe patient activation level and its relationship with knowledge, self-efficacy and self-management behaviors in heart failure patients discharged from rural hospitals. Our study populations were recruited from two hospitals in rural areas of Nebraska. We found that two-thirds of the participants reported low activation levels (e.g., taking no action to manage their heart failure condition). In addition, low patient activation levels were associated with inadequate heart failure knowledge (p=.005), low self-efficacy (p<.001) and low engagement in heart failure self-management behaviors (p<.001) after discharge from hospital.

Promoting self-management through adherence among heart failure patients discharged from rural hospitals: a study protocol

Background Heart failure is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in adults, leading to prolonged morbidity, repeated hospitalizations, and placing tremendous economic burden on the healthcare system. Heart failure patients discharged from rural hospitals, or primarily critical access hospitals, have higher 30-day readmission and mortality rates compared to patients discharged from urban hospitals. Self-management improves heart failure patients’ health outcomes and reduces re-hospitalizations, but adherence to self-management guidelines is low. We propose a home based post-acute care service managed by advanced practice nurses to enhance patient activation and lead to the improvement of self-management adherence in heart failure patients discharged from rural hospitals.

Objective This article describes the study design and research methods used to implement and evaluate the intervention.

Method Our intervention is a 12-week patient activation (Patient AcTivated Care at Home [PATCH]) to improve self-management adherence. Patients were randomized into two parallel groups (12-week PATCH intervention + usual care vs. usual care only) to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Discussion

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a rural theory based, advance practice nurse led, activation enhancing intervention on the self-management adherence in heart failure patients residing in rural areas. Our expectation is to facilitate adherence to self-management behaviors in heart failure patients following discharge from rural hospitals and decrease complications and hospital readmissions, leading to the reduction of economic burden. 

Clinical Trial Registration Information: ClinicalTrials.gov; https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/ NCT01964053

Family context influences psychological outcomes of depressive symptoms and emotional quality of life in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Although family influences in heart failure (HF) care are considered important, little evidence is available regarding relationships between the family context and specific outcomes for patients with HF.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of patient perceptions of family functioning, autonomy support, and perceived criticism, as well as their family member's (FM) HF knowledge, with patient outcomes of depressive symptoms and HF quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

Participants (n = 117) with HF were enrolled in a family partnership intervention study. Self-report questionnaires measuring the HF patient's perceptions of family context and the FM's knowledge were analyzed relative to the HF patient's outcomes using correlations and sequential multivariate regression analyses. Only preintervention, baseline data are reported here.

RESULTS

Age, ethnicity, Charlson comorbidity index, global family functioning, and FM's HF knowledge accounted for 37.8% (P < .001) of the variance in the patient's depressive symptoms. An additional moderating effect of ethnicity on the association between global family functioning and patient's depressive symptoms was significant (change R2 = 0.06, P = .001), resulting in a final model that accounted for 43.3% of depressive symptom variance. Age, ethnicity, global family functioning, and autonomy support accounted for 24.9% (P < .001) of the variance in emotional HF QOL. An additional moderating effect of ethnicity on the association between global family functioning and patient's emotional HF QOL was significant (change R2 = 0.05, P = .009), resulting in a final model that accounted for 28.9% of emotional QOL variance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the importance of the patient's perspective on family functioning and autonomy support, along with FM's HF knowledge, on HF patient outcomes moderated by ethnicity. Future interventions could target the modifiable patient-family context relationships for improving depressive symptoms and QOL in HF patients. These findings point to the need for greater family assessment to identify those at risk for worse outcomes and to guide family focused interventions.

Construction and validation of a questionnaire about heart failure patients' knowledge of their disease

BACKGROUND

The lack of tools to measure heart failure patients' knowledge about their syndrome when participating in rehabilitation programs demonstrates the need for specific recommendations regarding the amount or content of information required.

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate a questionnaire to assess heart failure patients' knowledge about their syndrome when participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

METHODS

The tool was developed based on the Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire and applied to 96 patients with heart failure, with a mean age of 60.22 ± 11.6 years, 64% being men. Reproducibility was obtained via the intraclass correlation coefficient, using the test-retest method. Internal consistency was assessed by use of Cronbach's alpha, and construct validity, by use of exploratory factor analysis.

RESULTS

The final version of the tool had 19 questions arranged in ten areas of importance for patient education. The proposed questionnaire had a clarity index of 8.94 ± 0.83. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.856, and Cronbach's alpha, 0.749. Factor analysis revealed five factors associated with the knowledge areas. Comparing the final scores with the characteristics of the population evidenced that low educational level and low income are significantly associated with low levels of knowledge.

CONCLUSION

The instrument has satisfactory clarity and validity indices, and can be used to assess the heart failure patients' knowledge about their syndrome when participating in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

A pilot test of an integrated self-care intervention for persons with heart failure and concomitant diabetes

Studies show 30% to 47% of people with heart failure (HF) have concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM). Self-care for persons with both of these chronic conditions is conflicting, complex, and often inadequate. This pilot study tested an integrated self-care program for its effects on HF and DM knowledge, self-care efficacy, self-care behaviors, and quality of life (QOL). Hospitalized HF-DM participants (N = 71) were randomized to usual care or intervention using a 1:2 allocation and followed at 30 and 90 days after intervention. Intervention was an integrated education and counseling program focused on HF-DM self-care. Variables included demographic and clinical data, knowledge about HF and DM, HF- and DM-specific self-efficacy, standard HF and DM QOL scales, and HF and DM self-care behaviors. Analysis included descriptive statistics, multilevel longitudinal models for group and time effects, post hoc testing, and effect size calculations. Sidak adjustments were used to control for type 1 error inflation. The integrated HF-DM self-care intervention conferred effects on improved HF knowledge (30 days, p = .05), HF self-care maintenance (30 and 90 days, p < .001), HF self-care management (90 days, p = .05), DM self-efficacy (30 days, p = .03; 90 days, p = .004), general diet (30 days, p = .05), HF physical QOL (p = .04), and emotional QOL scores (p = .05) at 90 days within the intervention group. The participants in the usual care group also reported increased total and physical QOL. Greater percentages of participants in the intervention group improved self reported exercise between 0 and 30 days (p = .005 and moderate effect size ES = .47) and foot care between 0 and 90 days (p = .03, small ES = .36). No group differences or improvements in DM-specific QOL were observed. An integrated HF-DM self-care intervention was effective in improving essential components of self-care and had sustained (90 day) effects on selected self-care behaviors. Future studies testing HF-DM integrated self-care interventions in larger samples with longer follow-up and on other outcomes such as hospitalization and clinical markers are warranted.

A trial of family partnership and education interventions in heart failure

BACKGROUND

Lowering dietary sodium and adhering to medication regimens are difficult for persons with heart failure (HF). Because these behaviors often occur within the family context, this study evaluated the effects of family education and partnership interventions on dietary sodium (Na) intake and medication adherence (MA).

METHODS AND RESULTS

HF patient and family member (FM) dyads (n = 117) were randomized to: usual care (UC), patient-FM education (PFE), or family partnership intervention (FPI). Dietary Na (3-day food record), urinary Na (24-hour urine), and MA (Medication Events Monitoring System) were measured at baseline (BL) before randomization, and at 4 and 8 months. FPI and PFE reduced urinary Na at 4 months, and FPI differed from UC at 8 months (P = .016). Dietary Na decreased from BL to 4 months, with both PFE (P = .04) and FPI (P = .018) lower than UC. The proportion of subjects adherent to Na intake (≤2,500 mg/d) was higher at 8 months in PFE and FPI than in UC (χ(2)(2) = 7.076; P = .029). MA did not differ among groups across time. Both FPI and PFE groups increased HF knowledge immediately after intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary Na intake, but not MA, was improved by PFE and FPI compared with UC. The UC group was less likely to be adherent with dietary Na. Greater efforts to study and incorporate family-focused education and support interventions into HF care are warranted.

Educational needs for improving self-care in heart failure patients with diabetes

PURPOSE

To explore the need for self-monitoring and self-care education in heart failure patients with diabetes (HF- DM patients) by describing cognitive and affective factors to provide guidance in developing effective self-management education.

METHODS

A cross-sectional correlation design was employed using baseline patient data from a study testing a 12-week patient and family dyad intervention to improve dietary and medication-taking self-management behaviors in HF patients. Data from 116 participants recruited from metropolitan Atlanta area were used. Demographic and comorbidities, physical function, psychological distress, relationship with health care provider, self-efficacy (medication taking and low sodium diet), and behavioral outcomes (medications, dietary habits) were assessed. Descriptive statistics and a series of chi-square tests, t tests, or Mann-Whitney tests were performed to compare HF patients with and without DM.

RESULTS

HF-DM patients were older and heavier, had more comorbidities, and took more daily medications than HF patients. High self-efficacy on medication and low-sodium diet was reported in both groups with no significant difference. Although HF-DM patients took more daily medications than HF, both groups exhibited high HF medication-taking behaviors. The HF-DM patients consumed significantly lower total sugar than HF patients but clinically higher levels of sodium.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes educators need to be aware of potential conflicts of treatment regimens to manage 2 chronic diseases. Special and integrated diabetes self-management education programs that incorporate principles of HF self-management should be developed to improve self-management behavior in HF-DM patients.