A modeling intervention in heart failure.
BACKGROUND
Peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)) testing is commonly used to assess chronic heart failure (CHF) patients' exercise tolerance. The test requires maximal effort; however, many participants have low confidence (self-efficacy) to perform optimally.


OBJECTIVE
This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of a modeling intervention to increase Peak VO(2) (PVO(2)) and self-efficacy in people diagnosed with CHF.


METHODS
Twenty participants with a diagnosis of CHF were randomized to either an intervention (modeling DVD) or a control group. Both groups completed a measure of self-efficacy prior to performing two PVO(2) tests, each separated by 7 days. After completing the first test (T1) the intervention group watched a 10-min coping model DVD. All participants returned 1 week later (T2) to complete identical study procedures.


RESULTS
Analysis of covariance results showed that compared with the participants in the control group, those assigned to the modeling intervention had higher PVO(2) at T2, F (1, 19) = 4.38, p = 0.05, eta (2) = 0.21 and self-efficacy, F (1, 19) = 5.80, p < 0.05, eta (2) = 0.25. Only partial support was found for change in self-efficacy mediating treatment outcome (PVO(2)).


CONCLUSIONS
Watching a modeling video is associated with increased PVO(2) and self-efficacy. These results have implications for testing patients in a clinical setting to maximize exercise tolerance test results.
Maddison
Ralph
R
Clinical Trials Research Unit, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland Mailing Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. r.maddison@ctru.auckland.ac.nz
Prapavessis
Harry
H
Armstrong
Guy P
GP
Hill
Caleb
C
D000368:Aged; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014743:Videotape Recording