Effectiveness of an eHealth intervention to improve subjective well-being and self-efficacy in cardiovascular disaease patients: A pilot non-randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent, eHealth-based self-efficacy intervention to promote subjective well-being and self-efficacy in patients with cardiovascular disease, exploring sex differences. Design: A pilot study of a two-arm non-randomized controlled trial. Method: Forty-two cardiovascular patients (31% women) participated in the study. The experimental group received a personalized psychoeducational session and a 14-days eHealth intervention. Subjective well-being (positive and negative affect) and self-efficacy (chronic and cardiac) were assessed at baseline, post-psychoeducational session, post-eHealth intervention and at two follow-ups. Results: The levels of the experimental group in positive affect, at post-eHealth and follow-up 1, and self-efficacy, at post-eHealth, and both follow-ups, were statistically significantly higher compared to the control group (all ps < .05). When considering sex, the intervention was effective only for men. The results highlight the potential of eHealth interventions for cardiac patients and underline the importance of considering a gender perspective in their treatment.