NursE led Atrial Fibrillation Management: The NEAT Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing epidemic. Current models of care delivery are inadequate in meeting the needs of the population with AF. Furthermore, quality of life is known to be poor in patients with AF and is associated with adverse patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if nurse-led education and cardiovascular risk factor modification, undertaken using the principles of motivational interviewing, facilitated by an electronic decision support tool to ensure the appropriate use of oral anticoagulation (OAC), could improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL), guideline adherence to OAC, and cardiovascular risk factor profiles in individuals with AF. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled feasibility study of 72 individuals with AF. The intervention involved 1 face-to-face nurse-delivered education and risk factor management session with 4 follow-up telephone calls over a 3-month period to monitor progress. The primary outcome measure was HRQoL as assessed by the Short Form-12 survey. RESULTS: A total of 72 participants were randomized, with 36 individuals in each arm completing follow-up. Mean age was 65 ± 11 years and 44% were women. At 3 months follow-up, no significant differences between groups were observed for the physical or mental component summary scores of the Short Form-12, nor any of the subscales. Appropriate use of OAC did not differ between groups at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A brief nurse-delivered educational intervention did not significantly impact on HRQoL or risk factor status in individuals with AF. Further research should focus on interventions of greater intensity to improve outcomes in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12615000928516.