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?:abstract
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BACKGROUND As the pandemic continues to unfold, effective, technology-based solutions are needed to help patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) maintain their health and well-being during the outbreak of COVID-19. METHODS This single-center, pilot study investigated the effects of a 4-week (8 sessions) virtual AF self-management program. Questionnaires were completed at baseline and 1 week after the intervention, and assessed AF knowledge, adherence to self-management behaviors, mental health, physical function, and disease-specific quality of life in patients with AF. Secondary outcomes included knowledge of COVID-19, intervention acceptability and satisfaction. RESULTS Of 68 patients who completed baseline questionnaires, 57 participated in the intervention and were included in the analysis (mean age of 73.4±10.0 years, 60% male). Adherence to AF self-monitoring behaviors, including monitoring their heart rate (p < 0.001), heart rhythm (p = 0.003), and blood pressure (p = 0.013) were significantly improved at the end of the intervention compared with baseline. Symptom identification (p = 0.007) and management (p < 0.001) also improved. Reductions in sleep disturbance (p < 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.014) and depression (p = 0.046) were also observed. Misinformation and inaccurate beliefs about COVID-19 were significantly reduced at the end of the intervention compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study suggests that a virtual patient education program could have beneficial effects on adherence to guideline-recommend self-care of AF, emotional wellbeing, physical function and knowledge of COVID-19 in patients with AF. Future randomized studies in larger samples are needed to determine the clinical benefits of the intervention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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