Work

The effect of education using the interactive avatar application on self-care and the ability to identify and respond to the symptoms of heart attack in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an interactive avatar application in enhancing self-care behaviors and improving recognition and response to heart attack symptoms among patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). METHODS: A non-blinded, two-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 78 ACS patients randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. The control group received conventional education, while the intervention group received conventional education supplemented with training via an interactive avatar application. The application provided guidance on self-care practices, recognition of heart attack symptoms, and appropriate responses. Data were collected at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months post-discharge using demographic questionnaires, the Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory, and the ACS Response Index. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: At the 3-month follow-up, participants in the intervention group exhibited significantly higher scores on both the Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory and ACS Response Index compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, during the 3-month follow-up period, all patients in the intervention group (100%) ceased activity and took sublingual nitroglycerin upon experiencing heart attack symptoms, compared to 80% in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The interactive avatar application proved effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and self-care behaviors among ACS patients. This innovative educational tool holds promise for enhancing patient outcomes in ACS management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the Iranian Registration Clinical Trial Center (Code: IRCT20220920056001N1, Date: 2023-01-03).

Source: BMC Health Services Research

DOI: 10.1186/s12913-025-12756-z

Authors: Nahid Keivanlou, Faezeh Babaieasl, Jamshid Jamali, Saeedeh Baghyari, Zahra Dalir, Nayyereh Davoudi

Institutions: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad

Language: English

Topic: Mobile Health and mHealth Applications

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,290