Design and Evaluation of a Brief Motivational Intervention to Promote Enrolment in Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study
Abstract
Objective: Patients who are referred to exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event stand to benefit from a range of positive CR-related outcomes, including reduced morbidity and mortality. Yet, only 19-34% of eligible patients participate in CR in the United States and Canada. Motivational interviewing could be useful for encouraging CR enrolment, but empirical support does not exist. Research that examines patients’ decision-making about CR enrolment is needed to inform effective motivational intervention in this context. Methods: A two-part study was conducted to design and evaluate a brief motivational intervention to enhance intention to attend a 12-week CR program. Part 1 involved a qualitative examination of decision-making about CR enrolment using semi-structured interviews with ACS patients following CR referral but prior to enrolment (n = 14). A brief motivational intervention was subsequently designed to target obstacles to CR identified by patients in Part 1. Part 2 involved a two-group randomized controlled trial to examine preliminary efficacy and mechanisms of the intervention, using a usual care control group (n = 96). The primary outcome was intention to attend CR. Secondary outcomes included CR beliefs, CR barriers, self-efficacy, illness perception, social support, CR enrolment/adherence, and intervention acceptability. Results: Thematic analysis of qualitative data in Part 1 suggested the intervention should aim to bolster anticipated benefits of CR; assist patients in overcoming concerns about exercise, transportation, finances, and scheduling; and address contextual variables such as emotional distress and knowledge gaps. Randomization to the motivational intervention was associated with greater intention to attend CR (p = .001), greater perceived necessity of CR (p = .036), lower exercise concerns (p = .011), and higher CR adherence (p = .008), compared to usual care. Conclusions: Results provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of a brief motivational intervention to enhance intention to attend CR. Implementing strategies that enhance the perceived necessity of CR and reduce exercise concerns may help improve adherence to CR following an ACS event. This body of work will help optimize efforts to promote participation in an under-utilized, cost-effective program that significantly improves ACS outcomes.
Description
Keywords
Health Care Management, Rehabilitation and Therapy, Psychology, Psychology--Clinical
Citation
Rouleau, C. R. (2017). Design and Evaluation of a Brief Motivational Intervention to Promote Enrolment in Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25567