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Published on: September 30, 2020

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Better adherence to treatment recommendations in heart failure predicts improved cognitive function at a one-year

Michael L Alosco1, Mary Beth Spitznagel, Ronald Cohen

  • 1a Department of Psychological Sciences , Kent State University , Kent , OH , USA.

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|October 30, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Treatment adherence in heart failure (HF) patients predicts better cognitive function over time. This suggests that improving adherence may help preserve cognitive abilities in individuals with HF.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Treatment nonadherence is prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients, negatively impacting health outcomes.
  • Cognitive function is recognized as a determinant of treatment adherence, but the reverse relationship is less understood.
  • This study investigated whether treatment adherence predicts cognitive function changes in HF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the predictive relationship between treatment adherence and cognitive function in heart failure patients.
  • To determine if adherence to medication, diet, and lifestyle modifications influences cognitive performance over time.

Main Methods:

  • 115 heart failure patients self-reported treatment adherence.
  • Cognitive function was assessed using the Modified Mini Mental State Examination (3MS), Trail Making Test, and California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II).
  • Assessments were conducted at baseline and after a 12-month follow-up period.

Main Results:

  • Global cognition and memory improved significantly in HF patients over 12 months.
  • Higher baseline treatment adherence predicted better 12-month cognitive performance on the 3MS and CVLT-II.
  • Adherence to medication and diet, along with smoking abstinence, were key predictors of cognitive improvement.

Conclusions:

  • Better treatment adherence is associated with improved cognitive function one year later in heart failure patients.
  • Findings suggest that adherence may play a role in preserving cognitive function in this population.
  • Further research with objective adherence measures is recommended to confirm these results.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cognitive functionHeart failureLongitudinalTreatment adherence

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