TY - JOUR

T1 - Exploring the Mechanism of Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Intervention in a Rehabilitation Program (CopenHeartRFA) for Patients Treated with Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

T2 - A Mixed Methods Study

AU - Risom, Signe Stelling

AU - Lind, Johanne

AU - Dickson, Victoria Vaughan

AU - Berg, Selina Kikkenborg

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Background Patients treated for atrial fibrillation with an ablation can experience decreased mental health. Little is known about the effect of a psychoeducation intervention on this patient group. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a psychoeducation intervention on patients' mental health after participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program, with a focus on elaborating on the lack of mental health improvements. Method Sequential explanatory mixed methods including secondary analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected in a randomized rehabilitation trial was performed. Perceived health was measured by a questionnaire (n = 95), and qualitative interviews were performed (n = 10). Results Patients scoring high on perceived health experienced positive effects of the intervention. Patients scoring low appear to have either low physical capacity and severe atrial fibrillation symptoms, bigger life issues, or lack of social support. Conclusion: A more in-depth understanding of the effect of a psychoeducational intervention included in a cardiac rehabilitation program has been achieved.

AB - Background Patients treated for atrial fibrillation with an ablation can experience decreased mental health. Little is known about the effect of a psychoeducation intervention on this patient group. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a psychoeducation intervention on patients' mental health after participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program, with a focus on elaborating on the lack of mental health improvements. Method Sequential explanatory mixed methods including secondary analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected in a randomized rehabilitation trial was performed. Perceived health was measured by a questionnaire (n = 95), and qualitative interviews were performed (n = 10). Results Patients scoring high on perceived health experienced positive effects of the intervention. Patients scoring low appear to have either low physical capacity and severe atrial fibrillation symptoms, bigger life issues, or lack of social support. Conclusion: A more in-depth understanding of the effect of a psychoeducational intervention included in a cardiac rehabilitation program has been achieved.

KW - Atrial fibrillation

KW - Mental health

KW - Mixed methods

KW - Quality of life

KW - Rehabilitation

KW - Subjective health

U2 - 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000584

DO - 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000584

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 31058705

AN - SCOPUS:85067907062

VL - 34

SP - 336

EP - 343

JO - Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

JF - Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

SN - 0889-4655

IS - 4

ER -