Behaviour change maintenance following a myocardial infarction

The purpose of this research was to measure the effect of a self-determined lifestyle behaviour change on cardiac risk factor profile, quality of life and behaviour change maintenance for people who have had a myocardial infarction within the preceding six months. This was a randomised controlled trial. Thirty-two participants were recruited from the local District Health Board’s cardiac rehabilitation service. Participants were randomised into either the Intervention or Usual Treatment group. Initial and final data collection included a risk factor profile and quality of life assessment using the Quality of Life after Myocardial Infarction II questionnaire. Behaviour change sustainability was also examined from three open ended questions included in the questionnaire. Treatment fidelity was used to strengthen the validity of the intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and summarise the data. The findings showed that the majority of participants in both groups improved their risk factor profile and reduced their risk of a further myocardial infarction, with a slightly greater improvement for the Intervention group. It appeared that increasing physical activity was the easiest behaviour change to make and sustain compared with other behaviours. The majority of participants in both groups improved their quality of life, with the Intervention group making a slightly greater improvement than the Usual Treatment group. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups on any of the measures. It is recommended that health professionals engage with individuals who have had a myocardial infarction on a level that empowers them to self-manage their health. Strategies to support self-management include supporting a self-determined lifestyle behaviour change, the inclusion of self-monitoring and regular follow-up contact with individuals by health professionals during the behaviour change journey.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Nursing

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Eastern Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Scofield, Paul

• New Zealand
• myocardial infarction
• coronary artery disease (CAD)
• self-management
• lifestyle behaviours
• quality of life
• questionnaires

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6346

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10652/6346