Evaluation of the effect of continuous nursing in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of continuous nursing in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods A total of 80 patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA Ⅱ-Ⅲ) in Department of Cardiology were randomly divided into experimental group (40 cases) and control group (40 cases). The patients in the experimental group were given continuous nursing for 6 months on the basis of routine treatment and nursing. The patients in the control group were treated with routine treatment and nursing. The self-management ability of heart failure patients was evaluated by self-management scale at discharge and 6 months after discharge, cardiac function was evaluated by 6-minute walking test, and quality of life was evaluated by Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Results All 80 patients completed the study. The score of self-management ability in the experimental group was 69.51 ±4.89 after intervention, and that in the control group was 52.42 ±10.48. There was significant difference between the two groups (t value was -9.346, P< 0.05). The 6-minute walking test distance was (468.56 ±32.53) m in the experimental group and (372.95 ± 32.37) m after the intervention in the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups (t value was -13.177, P < 0.05). The MLHFQ score of the patients in the experimental group was 15.74 ± 4.66 after intervention, and that in the control group was 36.29 ± 11.67. There was significant difference between the two groups (t value was 10.343, P<0.05). Conclusion Continuous nursing intervention can significantly improve the self-management ability, cardiac function and quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure. Key words: Continuous nursing; Chronic heart failure; Self-management ability; Cardiac function; Quality of life