Effects of Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention on Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Behaviors: A Pilot Study

Authors

Bernice C. Yates, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Joseph Norman, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Jane Meza, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Kaye L. Stanek Krogstrand, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Susana Harrington, Nebraska Methodist Hospital
Scott Shurmur, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Matthew Johnson, Bryan LGH Heart Institute
Karen Schumacher, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2015 ; 30(2): 109–120.

Comments

Copyright 2015 Yates et al.

Abstract

Background—Despite proven efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in helping patients initiate physical activity and healthy eating changes, less than 50% of CR participants maintain changes 6 months later.

Objective—The objective of this feasibility study was to test the Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention versus usual care (UC) in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients and spouses.

Methods—An experimental, two-group (n = 17 couples/group), repeated measures design was used. CABG patients in both groups participated in Phase II outpatient CR. Spouses in the PaTH group attended CR with the patient and were asked to make the same physical activity and healthy eating changes as patients. Spouses in the control group attended educational classes with patients. It was theorized that “two persons would be better than one” at making changes and sticking with them long-term. Physical activity behavior was measured using the Actiheart accelerometer; the activity biomarker was an exercise tolerance test. Eating behavior was measured using 3-day food records; the biomarker was the lipid profile. Data were collected at baseline (entrance in CR), 3-months (post-CR), and 6-months. Changes over time were examined using Mann-Whitney U statistics and effect sizes.

Results—The PaTH intervention was successful primarily in demonstrating improved trends in healthy eating behavior for patients and spouses. No differences were found between the PaTH and UC patients or spouses at 3 or 6 months in the number of minutes/week of physical activity. By 6 months, patients in both groups were, on average, below the national guidelines for PA recommendations (≥ 150 min/week at > 3 METs).

Conclusions—The couple-focused PaTH intervention demonstrated promise in offsetting the decline in dietary adherence typically seen 6 months after CR.