Behavioral Intervention Found Critical in Patients Sustaining Physical Activity After PCI

Issue: March/April 2012

Patients who received combined positive affect/self-affirmation in addition to education after undergoing PCI had a sustained and clinically significant increase in physical activity at 1 year compared with those who received only education, according to a study appearing in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Perspective from Steven Marso, MD

In all, 242 patients were randomly assigned to either patient education and behavioral contracting for physical activity (control; n=118) or patient education and behavioral contracting plus combined positive affect/self-affirmation (PA intervention; n=124). In addition to receiving the components of the control group, those in the PA intervention group also received a PA workbook chapter, bimonthly induction of PA by telephone and small mailed gifts.

At 12-months, more patients in the PA intervention group increased expenditure by 336 kcal per week or more when compared with the control group (54.9% vs. 37.4%; P=.007). Among patients who completed the 12-month follow-up, those in the PA intervention group were 1.7 times more likely to increase energy expenditure by 336 kcal per week or more at 12 months vs. the control group.

For More Information:

Peterson JC. Arch Intern Med. 2012;doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.1311.

Perspective

Steven Marso, MD

Although underpowered, this trial extends what we all should have remembered from kindergarten: Random acts of kindness, promoting self-affirming behavior and positive thinking are a good thing and, in this trial, led to investigators enabling patients to sustain healthy behavior. If clinicians could realize this level of increased physical activity in their CHD patients, the long-term CV risk for millions of persons could be measurably lowered.

Steven Marso, MD

Cardiology Today Intervention Editorial Board Member

Disclosures: Dr. Marso reports no relevant financial disclosures during the previous 12 months; all compensation for his research activities, including research grants and consulting fees from Abbott Vascular, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Boston Scientific, Novo Nordisk, The Medicines Company, Terumo Medical and Volcano Corporation, are paid directly to the Saint Luke’s Hospital Foundation of Kansas City.