PROspective MEmory Training to improve HEart failUre Self-care (PROMETHEUS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive impairment is seen in up to three quarters of heart failure (HF) patients and has a significant negative impact on patients' health outcomes. Prospective memory, which is defined as memory to carry out future intentions, is important for functional independence in older adults and involves application of multiple cognitive processes that are often impaired in HF patients. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of prospective memory training on patients' engagement in HF self-care and health outcomes, carer strain and quality of life.


METHODS
The proposed study is a randomised, controlled trial in which 200 patients diagnosed with HF, and their carers will be recruited from 3 major hospitals across Melbourne. Eligible patients with HF will be randomised to receive either: 1) The Virtual Week Training Program - a computerised prospective memory (PM) training program (intervention) or 2) non-adaptive computer-based word puzzles (active control). HF patients' baseline cognitive function will be compared to a healthy control group (n = 60) living independently in the community. Patients will undergo a comprehensive assessment of PM, neuropsychological functioning, self-care, physical, and emotional functioning. Assessments will take place at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 months following intervention. Carers will complete measures assessing quality of life, strain, perceived control in the management of the patients' HF symptoms, and ratings of the patients' level of engagement in HF self-care behaviours.


CONCLUSIONS
If the Virtual Week Training Program is effective in improving: 1) prospective memory; 2) self-care behaviours, and 3) wellbeing in HF patients, this study will enhance our understanding of impaired cognitive processes in HF and potentially is a mechanism to reduce healthcare costs.


BACKGROUND
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry #366376; 27 May 2014. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366376&isClinicalTrial=False .
Centre for the Heart and Mind, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Level 5, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia. jan.cameron@acu.edu.au.
Jan
J
Cameron
Cognition and Emotion Research Centre, School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, 115 Victoria Parade, Melbourne, VIC, 3065, Australia. peter.rendell@acu.edu.au.
Peter G
PG
Rendell
Centre for the Heart and Mind, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Level 5, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia. chantal.ski@acu.edu.au.
Chantal F
CF
Ski
Centre for the Heart and Mind, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Level 5, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia. christina.kure@acu.edu.au.
Christina E
CE
Kure
Cognition and Emotion Research Centre, School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, 115 Victoria Parade, Melbourne, VIC, 3065, Australia. skye.mclennan@acu.edu.au.
Skye N
SN
McLennan
Cognition and Emotion Research Centre, School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, 115 Victoria Parade, Melbourne, VIC, 3065, Australia. nathan.rose@acu.edu.au.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, WI, 53179, USA. nathan.rose@acu.edu.au.
Nathan S
NS
Rose
Department of Cardiology, St Vincent's Hospital, Princess Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3065, Australia. david.prior@svhm.org.au.
David L
DL
Prior
Centre for the Heart and Mind, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Level 5, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia. david.thompson@acu.edu.au.
David R
DR
Thompson
D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004644:Emotions; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014739:Victoria