Efficacy of a social support and problem-solving intervention on heart failure self-care: A pilot study

The purpose of this study was to examine the preliminary effects of a coping partnership intervention comprised of social support and problem-solving on HF self-care maintenance, management, and confidence.

A 3-group randomized controlled pilot study was conducted. The intervention group received 1 home visit, weekly (month 1), and biweekly (months 2 and 3) telephone calls. The attention group received telephone calls starting at week 2, following a similar pattern. The control group received usual care only. The Self-care of Heart Failure Index, was administered at baseline, 5, 9, and 13 weeks. Linear mixed modeling examined intervention effect on study outcomes.

A total of 66 participants completed the study. The participants were mean age 61 years; 54.2% male; 56% Non-Caucasian; and 43.9% New York Heart Association HF Class II. Significant treatment-by-time interaction effects were noted for self-care maintenance (F=4.813; p=0.010) and self-care confidence (F=4.469; p=0.014). There was no significant treatment-by-time interaction effect on self-care management.

Coping partnership interventions that strengthen support and social problem- solving may improve self-care maintenance and confidence in individuals with HF.

Clinicians should consider including these components in HF patient education and clinical follow-up.