A Nurse-led Structured Risk Factor Management Programme to Improve Quality of Life for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Key facts
- Where
- Hong Kong, Hong KongSee the site
Where in Hong Kong
- Princess Margaret Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and Tuen Mun HospitalHong Kong, Hong KongNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The University of Hong Kong
- Trial code
- NCT07929259
- Record updated
- 10 November 2026
- Original description
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of a nurse-led, structured risk factor management programme on health-related quality of life, symptom burden and cardiovascular health in adults with atrial fibrillation (AF).Read full original descriptionShow less
Effects of a Nurse-led Structured Risk Factor Management Programme on Health-related Quality of Life, Symptom Burden and Cardiovascular Health in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomised Controlled Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of a nurse-led, structured risk factor management programme on health-related quality of life, symptom burden and cardiovascular health in adults with atrial fibrillation (AF).
AF is the most common heart rhythm disorder. It increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and death. Its symptoms, including palpitation, fatigue, and breathlessness, often limit daily activities and reduce quality of life, even in patients receiving treatment to control heart rhythm or rate. in the proposed nurse-led program, the cardiac nurse will teach AF patients how to manage health habits that affect AF, including eating well, staying active, sleeping well, not smoking, drinking less alcohol, and taking medicines as prescribed. A nurse works with each person to set small, realistic goals.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Does the programme improve health-related quality of life for AF patients? 2. Does the programme improve symptom burden for AF patients? 3. Does the programme improve the functional exercise capacity for AF patients? 4. Does the programme increase the reported self-efficacy level for participants? 5. Does the programme improve the health behaviours, physiological risk parameters and cardiovascular health score for participants?
Researcher will compare interventional group (80 AF participants joining the 12-week program in addition to usual care) to a control group (80 AF participants receive usual care only) to see if the program works to improve the quality of life, symptom burden and overall cardiovascular health than usual care alone among AF patients.
Participants in the intervention group will:
1. Receive a 1-hour face-to-face individual session with nurse for structured AF self-management education and personalized behavioural change planning in week 1 2. Keep track of their own health behaviours using a self-management booklet 3. Get 6 bi-weekly telephone follow-up calls from the nurse to review progress and support staged behavioural change 4. Receive weekly tailored text messages with reminders and encouragement
The study will take place at three hospitals in Hong Kong and will enrol about 160 adults. Each person will take part for about 5 months. Researchers will evaluate outcome (quality of life, AF symptom severity, functional exercise capacity, self-efficacy, health behaviours, body mass index, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood sugar, Life Essential 8 score) at three timepoint: baseline, upon completion of the programme (12 week), and 8 weeks thereafter (20 week).
Inclusion: Chinese adults aged ≥18 years who are referring for management of symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF at the specialist outpatient clinics; Community-dwelling; Possessed a smartphone; Has the presence of at least one of the following risk factors: hypertension, diabetes mellitus; BMI ≥23kg/m2; waist circumference ≥100cm for males or ≥90cm for females; dyslipidaemia; obstructive sleep apnoea; active smoking; alcohol use >3 standard drinks per week; and physical inactivity (i.e. <150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, or an average of <8000 steps per day).
Exclusion: Has psychiatric problems; Has cognitive impairment (i.e. Abbreviated Mental Test ≤6); Has severe co-existing medical conditions (e.g. terminal illness); Cannot understanding Cantonese or reading Chinese,; Has impaired communication.