Effect of Training Program Based on Roy's Adaptation Model on Quality of Life of Patients with Heart Failure: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Heart failure is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases which decreases the quality of life. Most of the factors influencing quality of life can be modified with ongoing educational interventions. Inadequate teaching is one of the causes of low health outcomes. Therefore, this study examined the effects of a Roy’s Adaptation Model (RAM) based on quality of life of patients with heart failure.Methods & Materials: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted during May to August 2011. From patients with heart failure referred to Tabriz Shahid Madani policlinics, 44 subjects were conveniently selected and randomly allocated to two groups. The intervention group (n=22) received ongoing one-to-one teaching and counseling sessions and phone calls based on RAM over 3 months. The control group (n=22) received routine teaching. Data were collected using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) at first as well as three months later, and analyzed through SPSS (v.13). The statistical tests showed significant differences in the physical, emotional and total dimensions of quality of life (p<0.001) in intervention group. But in control group, no significant differences were obtained. In addition there was significant differences in interpersonal support between two groups after intervention (p<.001). Also there was a statistically significant increase in 6MWT between baseline and after 3 months for intervention (p<.001) group. This result showed that teaching program based on RAM was effective in improving the quality of life and in interpersonal support for patients with heart failure.