effect of self-determination theory-based discharge program on lifestyle and readmission of patients with heart failure: a clinical trial

Background: lifestyle and behaviors of human beings are major factors in cardiovascular diseases. therefore, a discharge program based on self-determination theory could improve the lifestyle of the patients. aim: this study aimed to determine the effect of this program on the lifestyle and readmission of patients with heart failure. method: this clinical trial was performed on 60 patients with heart attack in a city in north-east of iran, during 2018-19. the participants were selected by convenience sampling method and divided randomly into intervention and control groups. subsequently, the intervention group was subjected to a 12-week sdt-based discharge program. however, the control group received the routine program. the data were collected using a demographic characteristics form, the health-promoting lifestyle profile ii questionnaire, and the readmission questionnaire. moreover, the data were analyzed in spss software (version 20) using the chi-square, independent t-test, paired t-test, and wilcoxon. results: in total, 20.0% and 46.7% of the subjects in the intervention and control groups were re-hospitalized, respectively. the chi-square showed a significant difference in this regard (p=0.028). the results also showed a significant increase in the lifestyle score of the patients at post-test stage, in the intervention group (164.6±16.9), compared to the control group (119.1±17.2) (p<0.001). furthermore, the mean score of various lifestyle subscales significantly increased in the intervention group, compared to the control group, three months after discharge (p<0.01). implications for practice: the design and implementation of a sdt-based discharge program could be included in the nursing care program as an effective method to create and maintain health-promoting behaviors.