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 .
Impact of computer-generated personalized goals on cholesterol lowering.
OBJECTIVES The National Cholesterol Education Program ( NCEP ) has enhanced public awareness of the importance of cholesterol in the development of heart disease , yet most patients with cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) do not know or achieve their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) goals . This r and omized , controlled trial was design ed to evaluate the impact of a system that provides uniquely formatted laboratory results to patients with CVD on their changes in LDL-C levels . METHODS Eighty patients with CVD were r and omized to receive  st and ard care or the intervention inclusive of a computer-generated , 11''x17 ' ' color poster depicting an individual 's LDL-C status and goals along with personalized steps to aid in goal achievement . Cholesterol profiles were obtained at baseline and 6 months after enrollment . Physicians received st and ard laboratory reports and were blinded to the r and omization . RESULTS There were no significant differences between patient groups in age , education level , race , baseline cholesterol levels , comorbidities , or percentage of patients in each group who met their NCEP goal at baseline . Patients receiving intervention tools had significant reductions in LDL-C from baseline compared with patients in the control group . Intervention patients who did not meet NCEP goals at baseline had the greatest reduction in LDL-C , with a mean change from baseline of -21.5 mg/dL ( P<0.001 ) whereas st and ard care patients had no significant change in the LDL-C levels ( -4.6 mg/dL , P=0.28 ) . At study close , 73 % of intervention patients reported that their posters remained displayed on their refrigerator . CONCLUSION This unique and personalized intervention result ed in the LDL-C lowering benefit among patients with CVD comparable to that of lipid lowering agents
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 .