There is suggestive but inconclusive evidence from the trials of a benefit in the use of brief interventions for risk factor modification in patients with coronary heart disease .
This review , however , supports the concept that brief interventions for patients with coronary heart disease can have beneficial effects on risk factor modification and consequently on progression of coronary heart disease .
Further trials using larger sample sizes need to be undertaken to demonstrate the benefits of brief structured intervention targeted at the modification of single or multiple risk factors
BACKGROUND The physical and psychosocial benefits of participation in cardiac rehabilitation following a coronary event have well been established .
Despite these benefits there is strong evidence that participation in traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs remains low .
Various models of cardiac rehabilitation have been implemented including the use of brief structured interventions to enable modification of coronary risk factors .
OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to determine the effect of brief structured interventions on risk factor modification in patients with coronary heart disease .
Two-year results of a controlled study of residential rehabilitation for patients treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. A randomized study of a multifactorial programme.
AIMS In a multifactorial lifestyle behaviour programme , of 2 years duration , to study the maintenance of achieved behaviour and risk factor-related changes . METHODS AND RESULTS Out of a consecutive population of 151 patients treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty under 65 years of age , 87 were r and omly allocated to an intervention group ( n=46 ) or to a control group ( n=41 ) . The programme started with a 4 week residential stay , which was focused on health education and the achievement of  behaviour change .  During the first year of follow-up , a maintenance programme included regular contacts with a nurse , while no further rehabilitative efforts were offered during the second year . One patient died ( control ) . During the second year the proportion of hospitalized patients was lower in the intervention group ( 4 % vs 20%;P<0.05 ) . Patients in the intervention group improved several lifestyle dependent behaviours : diet ( index at 0 , 12 and 24 months ) : 10.5+/-3 . 4 , 12.9+/-2.5 and 12.4+/-2.6 in the intervention group ( I ) vs 10 . 1+/-3.2 , 10.7+/-3.0 and 11.8+/-3.2 in the control group (C);P<0.05 , exercise sessions per week : 2.5+/-2.3 , 4.5+/-1.9 and 4.4+/-2.1 ( I ) vs 3.1+/-2.2 , 3.5+/-2.3 and 3.7+/-2.7 (C);P<0.05 , and smoking ; 18 % , 6 % and 9 % ( I ) vs 12 % , 21 % and 18 % (C);P<0.05 . This corresponded to improvement in exercise capacity ( 0 , 12 and 24 months ) : 156+/-42 , 174+/-49 and 165+/-47 W ( I ) vs 164+/-40 , 163+/-49 and 156+/-48 watts (C);P<0.05 . There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to serum cholesterol levels at 0 and 24 months : 5 . 4+/-0.8 and 5.2+/-0.9 mmol . l(-1)(I ) vs 5.4+/-1.0 and 4.9+/-0.9 mmol . l(-1)(C ) ; ns , low density lipoprotein cholesterol level : 3.6+/-0.8 and 3.4+/-0.8 mmol . l(-1)(I ) vs 3.7+/-0.9 and 3.3+/-0.7 mmol . l(-1)(C ) ; ns , triglyceride level : 2.2+/-1.6 and 1.8+/-1.3 mmol . l(-1)(I ) vs 2.2+/-1.4 and 1.6+/-0.6 mmol . l(-1)(C ) ; ns , body mass index ( 0 , 12 and 24 months ) : 27.5+/-4.5 , 27.0+/-4.3 and 27.4+/- 4.5 kg . m(-2)(I ) vs 26.8+/-2.8 , 26.9+/-2.7 and 26.9+/- 3.2 kg . m(-2)(C ) ; ns , waist/hip ratio or blood pressure . The two groups did not differ in quality of life , or psychological factors . Return to work after 12 and 24 months was 74 % and 78 % ( I ) vs 68 % and 61 % ( C ) ; ns . CONCLUSION This rehabilitation programme influenced important lifestyle behaviour and reduced some , but not all , important risk
There is suggestive but inconclusive evidence from the trials of a benefit in the use of brief interventions for risk factor modification in patients with coronary heart disease .
This review , however , supports the concept that brief interventions for patients with coronary heart disease can have beneficial effects on risk factor modification and consequently on progression of coronary heart disease .
Further trials using larger sample sizes need to be undertaken to demonstrate the benefits of brief structured intervention targeted at the modification of single or multiple risk factors
BACKGROUND The physical and psychosocial benefits of participation in cardiac rehabilitation following a coronary event have well been established .
Despite these benefits there is strong evidence that participation in traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs remains low .
Various models of cardiac rehabilitation have been implemented including the use of brief structured interventions to enable modification of coronary risk factors .
OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to determine the effect of brief structured interventions on risk factor modification in patients with coronary heart disease .