Impulse for a Heart-healthy Lifestyle: Bridging the Intention-behaviour-gap at the Cardiology Ward
M. Platter1, C. Hölzl2, M. Hofer3, A. Huber1, D. Renn1, S. Höfer1
1Department of Medical Psychology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
2University Hospital Innsbruck, Department of Nutrition, Innsbruck, Austria
3University Hospital Innsbruck, Department of Cardiology, Innsbruck, Austria
Background: Most risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease are behaviour related and should be controlled i.e. by heart-healthy nutrition (NU) and physical activity (PA). To support patients to start with NU or PA brief activating health-psychological group interventions based on the Health-Action-Process-Approach (HAPA) were implemented on an acute cardiology ward. Methods: An intervention (IG) and a control group (CG) were assessed at baseline, two and six months including socio demographic variables, intentions and NU or PA behaviour prior to the hospital stay. Findings: In total 394 patients participated (NU: 63±10.8 years, IG: N=143/CG: N=58; PA: 63±9.2 years, IG: N=115/CG: N=78). From baseline to month 2 the NU-IG reported a significant increase in vegetable fat consumption (p<.05) and the PA-IG in general physical activity (p<.01), both compared to their respective CG. Six months after discharge the NU-IG consumed significantly more low fat food and fish (p<.05), the PA-IG and CG both increased their PA by nearly 50 min/week (p=ns). Discussion: The brief intervention was feasibly to be implemented in the acute care routine and is able to influence some lifestyle changing aspects.