A behavioral strategy for promoting treatment compliance following myocardial infarction

Seven men who had recently experienced a myocardial infarction were treated for medical noncompliance. Patient selection was based on recent and past noncompliant behaviors, denial of infarct, and degree of job involvement. Treatment strategy included (1) self-planning of a rehabilitation program by the patient (activity hierarchy), (2) self-monitoring of bio-behavioral data, (3) weekly visits to review data and decide on new activities. Results showed that all patients were highly compliant as determined by several criteria. The technique is relatively easy to apply and it seems to have wide appeal to patients who might otherwise be at high risk for self-injurious behavior.