Randomized controlled trial of a lay-facilitated angina management programme

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Nurse-facilitated programs improve angina management and physical activity.
• Many angina patients do not access cardiac rehabilitation or self-management programs.
• Lay facilitators are increasingly utilized for self-management support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a lay-facilitated angina management program against standard care.
• To assess the impact on angina frequency, risk factors, and patient-reported outcomes.
• To determine the cost-effectiveness of lay-facilitated angina management.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing lay-facilitated program (intervention) with angina nurse specialist advice (control).
• 70 participants in the intervention group and 72 in the control group with new stable angina.
• Primary outcome: angina frequency at 6 months. Secondary outcomes: risk factors, physical functioning, anxiety, depression, misconceptions, cost-utility at 3 and 6 months.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in angina frequency between groups at 6 months.
• Intervention group showed significant improvements at 3 months for anxiety, misconceptions, and exercise report.
• Intervention group showed significant improvements at 6 months for anxiety, depression, and misconceptions; deemed cost-effective.

Conclusions:

• Lay-facilitated angina management offers advantages over specialist nurse advice.
• The program effectively improved psychological well-being and understanding of angina.
• This approach represents a potentially valuable and cost-effective addition to angina care.