Multifactorial evaluation of a program for lifestyle behavior change in rehabilitation and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease

Abstract

A comprehensive, multifactorial lifestyle behavior change program was developed for rehabilitation and secondary prevention of subjects with coronary artery disease. The purpose of the present report is to describe this intervention model and to analyze results achieved in a first group of consecutive participants. Main inclusion criteria for the 292 subjects were a recent history of acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The program commenced with a 4-week residential stay, with the focus on health education and the achievement of behavior change in major lifestyle areas. During the year of follow-up a systematic maintenance program included regular contact with a nurse. Morbidity and mortality was low. Self-reported quality of life improved and there were significant improvements in blood lipids, exercise capacity and body mass index. There were also significant changes both in psychological variables such as Type A behavior, anger, hostility, and in major lifestyle areas such as stress reactions, diet, exercise and smoking. These changes compared favorably with data from relevant samples from the Swedish normal population. This program had a considerable effect on a number of important factors for rehabilitation and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease.