Objective To investigate feasibility of recruitment, tablet use in intervention delivery, and use of self-report outcome measures and to analyze the effect of Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy versus Health Education interventions for individuals with heart failure-associated fatigue.
Methods This feasibility study was a block-randomized controlled trial involving 23 adults, blinded to their group assignment, in a rural southern area in the United States. Individuals with heart failure and fatigue received the interventions for 6 weeks through videoconferencing or telephone. Participants were taught to solve their fatiguerelated problems using energy conservation strategies and the process of Problem-Solving Therapy or educated about health-related topics.
Results The recruitment rate was 23%. All participants completed the study participation according to their group assignment, except for one participant in the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy group. Participants primarily used the tablet (n=21) rather than the phone (n=2). Self-report errors were noted on Activity Card Sort (n=23). Reported fatigue was significantly lower for both the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy (p=0.03, r=0.49) and Health Education (p=0.004, r=0.64) groups. The Health Education group reported significantly lower fatigue impact (p=0.019, r=0.48). Participation was significantly different in low-physical demand leisure activities (p=0.008; r=0.55) favoring the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy group.
Conclusion The recruitment and delivery of the interventions were feasible. Activity Card Sort may not be appropriate for this study population due to recall bias. The interventions warrant future research to reduce fatigue and decrease participation in sedentary activities (Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03820674).
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Occupational Therapy for Patients With Cardiovascular Disease ― A Systematic Review ― Tomonori Takeda, Daichi Tsukakoshi, Atsuhiro Tsubaki, Shuhei Yamamoto Circulation Reports.2025; 7(6): 395. CrossRef
Heart Smart: A Virtual Self-Management Intervention for Homebound People With Heart Failure: A Pilot Study Sara Kate Frye, Alison Bell Home Health Care Management & Practice.2023; 35(1): 13. CrossRef
Extension, austerity, and emergence: Themes identified from a global scoping review of non‐urban occupational therapy services Karen Hayes, Vagner Dos Santos, Moses Costigan, Danielle Morante Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.2023; 70(1): 142. CrossRef
The coping in heart failure (COPE-HF) partnership intervention for heart failure symptoms: Implications for palliative care Lucinda J. Graven, Laurie Abbott, Glenna Schluck Progress in Palliative Care.2023; 31(3): 169. CrossRef
Occupational Performance Coaching for Adults with Heart Failure: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol Zahra Ahmadizadeh, Sanaz Shanbehzadeh, Dorothy Kessler, Sepideh Taghavi, Shiva Khaleghparast, Malahat Akbarfahimi Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy.2023; 90(1): 15. CrossRef
Practice review: Evidence-based and effective management of fatigue in patients with advanced cancer Emma J Chapman, Erica Di Martino, Zoe Edwards, Kathryn Black, Matthew Maddocks, Michael I Bennett Palliative Medicine.2022; 36(1): 7. CrossRef
Energy conservation, minimum steps, and adaptations when needed: A scoping review Kátia Maki Omura, Otavio Augusto de Araujo Costa Folha, Paula Silva Moreira, Estéfanny da Silva Bittencourt, Adriene Damasceno Seabra, Marcelo Marques Cardoso Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy.2022; 35(2): 125. CrossRef
Subjective factors of depressive symptoms, ambulation, pain, and fatigue are associated with physical activity participation in cardiac arrest survivors with fatigue Young Joo Kim, Vicky Joshi, Qiang Wu Resuscitation Plus.2021; 5: 100057. CrossRef