Effects of Continuous Nursing Intervention on Exercise Tolerance and Rehospitalization Rate in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

To observe the effect of continuous nursing intervention on exercise tolerance and rehospitalization rate in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods 134 patients with chronic heart failure admitted to our hospital were divided into two groups, routine nursing intervention group (control group) and continuous nursing intervention group (observation group), with 67 cases in each group. The resting and peak heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the two groups were recorded. The change of 6min walking distance, modified European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale (EHFSCB-9) and quality of life (SF-36) of the two groups were compared before and after intervention, and moreover, rehospitalization rate of heart failure of two groups 6 months after discharge was compared between the two groups. Results： Before intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After intervention, there was no significant difference in resting and peak HR, SBP and DBP between the two groups and those before intervention (P>0.05). Further comparison between the two groups showed that there was no significant difference in resting and peak HR, SBP and DBP between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). After intervention, 6min walking distance and SF-36 scale scores (role physical, physiological function, physical pain, energy, health status, social function, mental health and emotional function) were increased in the two groups (P<0.05). Further comparison between the two groups showed that 6min walking distance and SF-36 scale scores (except somatic pain score and role physical score) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the EHFSCB-9 scores in the two groups decreased gradually after intervention (P<0.05). Further comparison between the two groups showed that the EHFSCB-9 scores in the observation group (except low salt diet score and taking medicine based on doctor's advice score) were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The rehospitalization rate of heart failure within 6 months after discharge was 11.91% in the observation group, significantly lower than 25.37% in the control group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion： Continuous nursing intervention can strengthen the self-care ability of patients with chronic heart failure, improve exercise tolerance and quality of life, and reduce the rehospitalization rate to heart failure within 6 months.