# Motivational interviewing for reducing rehospitalisation and improving patient activation among patients with heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled trial

## TL;DR

A study tested motivational interviewing to reduce rehospitalization and improve patient activation for heart failure or COPD patients, but found no significant benefits.

## Contribution

This is the first RCT evaluating motivational interviewing for rehospitalization and patient activation in heart failure or COPD patients.

## Key findings

- No significant difference in rehospitalization rates between the intervention and control groups.
- No significant improvement in patient activation over time in the intervention group.
- High disease burden may have limited patient participation in the intervention.

## Abstract

The aim is to evaluate the effects of a motivational interviewing-based intervention, Supporting Patient Activation in Transition to Home, on rehospitalisation and patient activation among patients with heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A randomised, controlled, analysis-blinded trial was conducted.

Participants were recruited from two hospitals in mid-Sweden and the intervention and interviews were conducted post-discharge.

207 participants with heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were recruited. Participants were randomised to receive five motivational interviewing sessions post-discharge (n=103) or a control group (n=104).

Rehospitalisation within 180 days post-discharge was retrieved, and patient activation was assessed using the Patient Activation Measure at baseline, 30, 90 and 180 days post-discharge. We used a generalised estimating equation to assess the difference in the secondary outcome, patient activation, between the intervention group and the control group during the 180-day follow-up.

No statistically significant differences between the groups were found for rehospitalisation (p=0.33 to 0.41) or patient activation over time (B=−1.67, –0.71 and −0.83 (95% CI −5.45 to 2.10, −4.06 to 2.64 and −4.28 to 2.62), respectively).

Post-discharge motivational interviewing to decrease rehospitalisation or support patient activation does not seem beneficial for patients with heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The high disease burden may have limited patient participation in the intervention.

NCT02823795.