A health education programme for 60 myocardial infarction patients significantly decreased unhealthy eating habits at 12 months, but had no effect on smoking, physical activity, anxiety, or depression.
RCT (n=60)
randomized
Does a health education and counselling programme with telephone follow-up improve lifestyle habits and psychological well-being in myocardial infarction patients?
A health education program with telephone follow-up during cardiac rehabilitation improves long-term dietary habits in MI patients, and partner participation enhances smoking cessation.
A health education and counselling programme was offered to myocardial infarction patients during and after hospitalization. A randomized pre-test-post-test control group design was used to evaluate the effects of the experimental intervention. During hospitalization the intervention consisted of two individual counselling sessions and two group health education sessions focusing on medication, healthy habits, anxiety and depression. On completion of these sessions, weekly telephone calls were made to patients for a period of six weeks after discharge from hospital. The intervention was offered to 30 myocardial infarction patients and their partners (the experimental group) in addition to standard medical care. Thirty control patients received standard medical care only. Two months after myocardial infarction, patients in the experimental condition reported a significantly greater increase in physical activity, and a significantly greater decrease in unhealthy eating habits. No effects were found regarding smoking cessation, anxiety and depression. Twelve months after discharge from hospital patients in the experimental condition reported a significantly greater decrease in unhealthy eating habits. No effects were found regarding smoking cessation, physical activity, anxiety and depression. In addition, two months after myocardial infarction, it was found that patients whose partners participated in the health education sessions showed a significantly greater decrease in smoking and unhealthy eating habits and a significantly greater increase in physical activity than patients with no partner participating. Twelve months after discharge the only significant result favouring the patients whose partner participated in the health education sessions concerned smoking cessation.
Kemenade et al. (Thu,) conducted a rct in myocardial infarction (n=60). Health education and counselling programme with telephone follow-up vs. Standard medical care was evaluated on Changes in physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, smoking cessation, anxiety, and depression. A health education programme for 60 myocardial infarction patients significantly decreased unhealthy eating habits at 12 months, but had no effect on smoking, physical activity, anxiety, or depression.