title: Feasibility Testing of the Alert for AFib Intervention.
abstract: Improving early detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is critical because untreated AF is a major contributor to stroke and heart failure. We sought to generate knowledge about the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of the Alert for AFib intervention on knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about treatment-seeking for signs and symptoms of AF. Adults ≥65 years old (96% White) at risk for developing AF were randomized to receive the Alert for AFib intervention ( n = 40) or an attention control session ( n = 40). Feasibility goals for recruitment, participant retention, adherence, perceived satisfaction and burden, and intervention fidelity were met. From baseline to study completion, knowledge ( p = .005) and attitudes ( p < .001) about treatment-seeking improved more in the intervention group compared with the control group. Results support testing the effectiveness of the Alert for AFib intervention in a large trial.
authors.affiliation: 1 Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.|2 Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.affiliation: 2 Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin Vickers
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.affiliation: 3 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.affiliation: 1 Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.affiliation: 1 Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.affiliation: 4 University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Holli A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: DeVon
keywords: atrial fibrillation; cognitive behavioral intervention; patient education; randomized controlled trial; self-management; self-monitoring; stroke prevention