Patient perspectives of participating in the cardiac CopenHeartRFA rehabilitation program for patients treated with ablation for atrial fibrillation

Abstract

PurposeThe CopenHeartRFA trial was designed and conducted to explore the effects of rehabilitation on patients treated with ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). It included a cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of physical exercise and psychoeducational consultations over 6 months. As part of the evaluation of the CopenHeartRFA trial, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The intervention was delivered by a multidisciplinary team.AimThis study aimed to understand the experience of patients treated for AF with ablation who participated in the CopenHeartRFA cardiac rehabilitation program.MethodsA qualitative descriptive design was used. A purposive sample of 10 patients who had completed the intervention consented to participate. The interviews were conducted face-to-face and were audio-recorded and transcribed. Qualitative content analyses were used to analyze the data. The interviews were analyzed individually by two researchers and themes were constructed and discussed.ResultsThe sample included 10 participants, mean age 54.6 years. Four categories were identified and labeled: 1) strengthening belief in one’s own physical capacity and survival; 2) still struggling with fear of AF symptoms; 3) a need for support to move on; and 4) regaining confidence in one’s own mental strength with support from professionals.ConclusionThe four themes describe a positive experience from participating in the rehabilitation program. The rehabilitation program promoted self-efficacy for engaging in physical activity and the benefit of a safe environment for processing the emotional responses and the value of the therapeutic relationship between the patient and the rehabilitation provider.

Educational interventions to improve outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation—a systematic review

“…The results from this review indicate that participating in an intervention including an educational component can lower anxiety levels for patients up to 24 months after inclusion in an intervention. Qualitative findings support this finding, as patients having participated in an intervention including education confirmed that they needed support from health care professionals to move on 35 . One previously mentioned qualitative study evaluated participating in a rehabilitation programme for patients with AF including a psycho‐educational component 35 .…”

“…Qualitative findings support this finding, as patients having participated in an intervention including education confirmed that they needed support from health care professionals to move on 35 . One previously mentioned qualitative study evaluated participating in a rehabilitation programme for patients with AF including a psycho‐educational component 35 . Patients described that the psycho‐education (delivered either face‐to‐face or by telephone) was important to them as they still needed support to move on and health professionals helped them regaining confidence in their mental strength 35 .…”

“…One previously mentioned qualitative study evaluated participating in a rehabilitation programme for patients with AF including a psycho‐educational component 35 . Patients described that the psycho‐education (delivered either face‐to‐face or by telephone) was important to them as they still needed support to move on and health professionals helped them regaining confidence in their mental strength 35 . However, it does not fully explain why no difference between groups were found at the end of intervention.…”

Effectiveness of eHealth cardiac rehabilitation on health outcomes of coronary heart disease patients: a randomized controlled trial protocol

“…Experiences and perceptions of participants in the NeCR will be assessed through individual in-depth interview of a sample of 15–20 intervention group participants. Sampling will occur until theoretical saturation, which is expected to be reached by selection of 20% of the intervention participants [74, 75]. To maximize the sample variation, participants who have different responses to the NeCR in terms of the changes on their scores on the primary outcomes (0-35th percentile, >35th percentile and > 70% percentile of the score) will be recruited.…”

Atrial Fibrillation: the Association with Physical Activity and the Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation

“…На основе данных исследования CopenHeartRFA S.S. Risom и соавт. провели качественный анализ причин/барьеров, снижающих участие больного с ФП после успешной катетерной аблации в программе кардиореабилитации [46]. Главная причина -боязнь возврата симптомов ФП, которые вновь могут изменить жизнь пациента.…”