Other Titles
Effects of the NICE-Support Program on frailty and quality of life in patients with heart failure: A randomized controlled trial [Poster Title]
Abstract
Background: Frailty affects 63% of heart failure patients, significantly diminishing their quality of life (QoL). Targeted interventions are crucial to mitigate frailty and enhance patient outcomes. However, existing research largely focuses on the elderly. This study examines the impact of the NICE-Support program, which includes nutrition, nursing instruction, combined exercise, and support, on frailty and QoL in heart failure patients.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of the NICE-Support program in reducing frailty and enhancing QoL in heart failure patients. A total of 240 patients were recruited from two medical centers in Taiwan through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=120) or the control group (n=120). The intervention group participated in a 12-week NICE-Support program based on Engel’s biopsychosocial model, Wang et al.'s supportive care program, and Huang’s exercise prescription research. The control group received standard nursing care.
The program involved nutritional counseling, four face-to-face consultations (40-60 minutes each), a structured 12-week exercise plan (three sessions per week, 30 minutes daily), a social media support group, and biweekly telephone follow-ups. Data were collected at baseline and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Frailty was measured using the Frailty Assessment Scale, and QoL with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS 24, employing independent t-tests, chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and generalized estimating equations (GEE), with statistical significance set at p < .05.
Key Results: At baseline, 60% of heart failure patients were frail with lower QoL scores. The groups were similar except for age, education, and fall history. Both showed significant frailty reductions and QoL improvements by 24 weeks, with greater gains in the intervention group. GEE analysis, adjusted for age, education, and falls, revealed the intervention group had significantly greater frailty reductions (p < .001) and better QoL at 4, 12, and 24 weeks compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The NICE-Support program, combining nutrition, nursing instruction, exercise, and support, significantly improves frailty and QoL in heart failure patients. Further implementation of this program in clinical practice is recommended.
Notes
References:
Eckerblad, J., Klompstra, L., Heinola, L., Rojlén, S., & Waldréus, N. (2023). What frail, older patients talk about when they talk about self-care—a qualitative study in heart failure care. BMC Geriatrics, 23, 818. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04198-2
Kyriakou, M., Middleton, N., Ktisti, S., Philippou, K., & Lambrinou, E. (2020). Supportive care interventions to promote health-related quality of life in patients living with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 29(11), 1633–1647. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2020.04.019
Molla, S., Yitayal, M., & Amare, G. (2021). Health-related quality of life and associated factors among adult patients with heart failure in Wolaita Zone governmental hospitals, southern Ethiopia. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 14, 263-271. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.S288326
Salyer, J., Flattery, M., & Lyon, D. E. (2019). Heart failure symptom clusters and quality of life. Heart and Lung, 48(5), 366-372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2019.05.016
Uchmanowicz, I., Mlynarska, A., Lisiak, M., Kaluzna-Oleksy, M., Wleklik, M., Chudiak, A., Dudek, M., Migaj, J., Hinterbuchner, L., & Gobbens, R. (2019). Heart failure and problems with frailty syndrome: Why it is time to care about frailty syndrome in heart failure. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 5(1), 37-43. https://doi.org/10.15420/cfr.2018.37.1
Sigma Membership
Lambda Beta at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Academic Clinical Partnership, Sub-acute Care, Sustainable Development Goals, Quality of Life, Heart Failure Patients
Recommended Citation
Wang, Tzu-Chieh; Chiou, Ai-Fu; Hsieh, Yu Cheng; Lee, Chii Ming; Yang, Chiu Yueh; and Liu, Chieh-Yu, "The Effects of the NICE-Support Program on Frailty and Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 24.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/24
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
The Effects of the NICE-Support Program on Frailty and Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Frailty affects 63% of heart failure patients, significantly diminishing their quality of life (QoL). Targeted interventions are crucial to mitigate frailty and enhance patient outcomes. However, existing research largely focuses on the elderly. This study examines the impact of the NICE-Support program, which includes nutrition, nursing instruction, combined exercise, and support, on frailty and QoL in heart failure patients.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of the NICE-Support program in reducing frailty and enhancing QoL in heart failure patients. A total of 240 patients were recruited from two medical centers in Taiwan through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=120) or the control group (n=120). The intervention group participated in a 12-week NICE-Support program based on Engel’s biopsychosocial model, Wang et al.'s supportive care program, and Huang’s exercise prescription research. The control group received standard nursing care.
The program involved nutritional counseling, four face-to-face consultations (40-60 minutes each), a structured 12-week exercise plan (three sessions per week, 30 minutes daily), a social media support group, and biweekly telephone follow-ups. Data were collected at baseline and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Frailty was measured using the Frailty Assessment Scale, and QoL with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS 24, employing independent t-tests, chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and generalized estimating equations (GEE), with statistical significance set at p < .05.
Key Results: At baseline, 60% of heart failure patients were frail with lower QoL scores. The groups were similar except for age, education, and fall history. Both showed significant frailty reductions and QoL improvements by 24 weeks, with greater gains in the intervention group. GEE analysis, adjusted for age, education, and falls, revealed the intervention group had significantly greater frailty reductions (p < .001) and better QoL at 4, 12, and 24 weeks compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The NICE-Support program, combining nutrition, nursing instruction, exercise, and support, significantly improves frailty and QoL in heart failure patients. Further implementation of this program in clinical practice is recommended.
Description
This study examines the effects of the NICE-Support program on frailty and quality of life in heart failure patients. A randomized controlled trial with 240 patients showed that the program significantly improved both outcomes compared to standard care. These results emphasize the importance of a holistic approach that incorporates nutrition, exercise, and support to improve patient well-being, demonstrating the potential of comprehensive interventions to enhance care in heart failure patients.