The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a 12-week support and problem-solving telephone-based intervention (COPE-HF) on heart failure self-care, depression, and healthcare utilization. Heart failure patients will be randomized to one of three groups (intervention, attention, control), with data collected at baseline and at 5, 9, and 13 weeks.
The long-term goal of this research is to reduce morbidity and improve heart failure self-care and depression in heart failure patients. The initial step in meeting this goal is to pilot-test a telephone-based, tailored support and problem-solving intervention (COPE-HF Partnership) to improve HF self-care and depression in a sample of heart failure patients. The following research aims are to: 1) test the COPE-HF Partnership intervention and determine its feasibility and acceptability for managing HF-related problems; and 2) evaluate the preliminary effects of the COPE-HF Partnership intervention on heart failure self-care, depression, and healthcare utilization. This study will be guided by quantitative methods and include a repeated measures, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the 12-week COPE-Partnership intervention in a sample of heart failure patients (n = 90). Participants for this study will be recruited from from the cardiac/telemetry floors at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee, FL. The target recruitment size was 90 participants based upon attrition rates reported in previous studies (35%) and the number of participants needed to provide trend data in preparation for a larger, more adequately powered clinical trial. Following verbal informed consent, all participants were screened for cognitive impairment using the 6 Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) prior to baseline data collection. Data were collected using the following instruments: a Sociodemographic and Clinical Survey (baseline only), the Self-Care of HF Index (SCHFI; v. 6.2), the Heart Failure Symptom Survey (HFSS), the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12 (ISEL-12), the Social Problem-Solving Inventory Revised (SPSIR), Healthcare Utilization Survey, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CESD), the Family APGAR. Participants randomized to the intervention group participated in a telephone-based support and problem-solving training intervention over 12 weeks (Weeks 1-4, 6, 8, 10, 12). Participants randomized to the attention group received usual care plus telephone calls on the same schedule as the intervention group and consisted of a health check with information collected regarding recent healthcare usage. Participants randomized to the control group received usual care from their healthcare providers and received heart failure self-care education upon discharge from the healthcare facility. Follow-up data collection occurred at weeks 5, 9, 11, 13. All data were self-report and collected by a trained research assistant who collected study data over the telephone and marked participants answers on a computerized data spreadsheet. Data were analyzed using linear and multi-level modeling approaches.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
106
Participants were trained to use a 4-step problem-solving process based on the Theory of Social Problem-Solving (TSPS) to manage HF-related problems experienced in the home over 12-weeks. The core belief of TSPS is effective problem-solving requires a positive problem orientation (i.e., viewing problems as a challenge versus a threat) and elicits rational problem-solving versus avoidance or impulsivity/carelessness. Problem-solving follows from a positive problem orientation and involves accurate problem identification, generation of appropriate potential solutions, active decision-making, and solution implementation and evaluation. The goal of this intervention was to move HF patients toward a positive problem orientation and use of rational problem-solving strategies that support greater HF self-care and reduce depression. The COPE-HF Partnership Intervention consisted of 1 home visit and 7 follow-up telehealth sessions led by a registered nurse interventionist.
Participants in the attention group received a sham intervention that consisted of scheduled telephone calls consistent with the timing of that received by the intervention group. During these calls, basic information was gathered on key areas of heart failure self-care management and the frequency of healthcare usage. No intervention or education was provided.
Capital Regional Medical Center
Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Tallahassee Memorial Hospital
Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Self-care Maintenance
Self-care maintenance was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to treatment adherence and self-monitoring. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care maintenance. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
Time frame: baseline, 5 weeks
Self-care Maintenance
Self-care maintenance was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to treatment adherence and self-monitoring. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care maintenance. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
Time frame: baseline, 9 weeks
Self-care Maintenance
Self-care maintenance was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to treatment adherence and self-monitoring. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care maintenance. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
Time frame: baseline, 13 weeks
Self-care Management
Self-care management was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to symptom recognition and treatment and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care management. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
Time frame: baseline, 5 weeks
Self-care Management
Self-care management was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to symptom recognition and treatment and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care management. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: baseline, 9 weeks
Self-care Management
Self-care management was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to symptom recognition and treatment and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care management. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
Time frame: baseline, 13 weeks
Self-care Confidence
Self-care confidence was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to one's confidence in their ability to perform self-care activities. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care confidence. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
Time frame: baseline, 5 weeks
Self-care Confidence
Self-care confidence was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to one's confidence in their ability to perform self-care activities. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care confidence. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
Time frame: baseline, 9 weeks
Self-care Confidence
Self-care confidence was self-reported and measured using the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) v. 6.2. Items pertain to one's confidence in their ability to perform self-care activities. Scores are standardized (0-100), with higher scores suggesting better self-care confidence. Scores ≥ 70 are considered adequate, with an improvement of 8 or more considered clinically significant.
Time frame: baseline, 13 weeks
Depression
Depression was self-reported and assessed using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). The CES-D measures the presence of depression. Scores range from 0-60, with higher scores indicative of more symptoms of depression. A cut-off score ≥ 16 indicates depressed versus non-depressed.
Time frame: baseline, 5 weeks
Depression
Depression was self-reported and assessed using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). The CES-D measures the presence of depression. Scores range from 0-60, with higher scores indicative of more symptoms of depression. A cut-off score ≥ 16 indicates depressed versus non-depressed.
Time frame: baseline, 9 weeks
Depression
Depression was self-reported and assessed using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). The CES-D measures the presence of depression. Scores range from 0-60, with higher scores indicative of more symptoms of depression. A cut-off score ≥ 16 indicates depressed versus non-depressed.
Time frame: baseline, 13 weeks
Healthcare utilization
Healthcare utilization was determined by the frequency of emergency department visits and 30-day readmissions for HF and assessed via self-report.
Time frame: baseline, 5 weeks
Healthcare utilization
Healthcare utilization was determined by the frequency of emergency department visits and 30-day readmissions for HF and assessed via self-report.
Time frame: baseline, 9 weeks
Healthcare utilization
Healthcare utilization was determined by the frequency of emergency department visits and 30-day readmissions for HF and assessed via self-report.
Time frame: baseline, 13 weeks