Behavioral Theories and Models to Enhance Compliance in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs for Acute Myocardial Infarction— A Narrative Review

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a serious and common illness that affects the cardiovascular system. Its sudden onset, high fatality rate, and recurrence rate significantly impact patients’ safety and quality of life. Owing to considerable improvement in living standards, AMI has become a major cause of death and disability, seriously increasing the burden on society. The cardiac rehabilitation program, which involves a multidisciplinary approach to assist patients with daily life guidance, diet guidance, exercise guidance, disease knowledge guidance, medication guidance, psychological guidance, risk factor control guidance, and other comprehensive guidance, has been proven to play a decisive role in the recovery of patients’ cardiac function and the improvement of their quality of life. In addition, these programs help reduce treatment costs and prevent the reoccurrence of disease as well as adverse effects in cardiac patients. However, the introduction and execution of these initiatives are currently in their early stages, characterized by a gradual pace and encountering numerous challenges. Specifically, in the context of AMI, there have been documented instances of reduced engagement, adherence, and compliance with rehabilitation programs, even within industrialized nations. Diverse treatment phases and models have been designed to enhance patient care, patient participation, compliance, and effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Participation in post-myocardial infarction management CR programs has been reported under par levels which is posing a great threat and burden on society. Various theories and models of behavioral change are proposed to improve patient participation and compliance in cardiac rehabilitation. These theories and models have been utilized in the past to improve patient health and can also improve patients’ perception, and behavior toward active participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs.