Health Coaching for Cardiovascular Disease

Overseen By Maryanna Klatt, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University

Must not be taking: Antipsychotics, Antidepressants

Disqualifiers: Cognitive disorders, Major psychiatric, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 16 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether virtual health coaching can assist people hospitalized due to heart problems, such as a heart attack or heart failure. The researchers aim to determine if these coaching sessions improve overall health, reduce concerns sent to doctors via MyChart, and lower hospital readmissions. Participants are divided into two groups: one receives health coaching, and the other receives usual care after discharge. This trial suits individuals who have experienced heart issues like a heart attack, can communicate in English, and have access to a phone or computer. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance recovery and health management for heart patients.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your medications, as the study focuses on health coaching rather than medication changes.

What prior data suggests that health coaching is safe for patients with cardiovascular disease?

Research has shown that health coaching is generally safe for people with heart disease. Studies have found that participating in health coaching programs can lower the risk of death and help participants manage stress and care for themselves better. These programs have also been linked to lower cholesterol levels, weight loss, and reduced anxiety.

Overall, participants have responded well to health coaching, with no major negative effects reported. This suggests that health coaching is a safe way to improve health for those with heart conditions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about health coaching for cardiovascular disease because it offers a personalized and holistic approach that complements traditional medical care. Unlike standard treatments, which often focus on medications or surgical interventions, health coaching emphasizes lifestyle changes and patient empowerment. This method could lead to long-term improvements by helping patients adopt healthier behaviors, potentially reducing the risk of future cardiovascular events. The direct, ongoing interaction with health coaches allows for tailored support and motivation, which can be crucial in maintaining heart health post-discharge.

What evidence suggests that health coaching is effective for cardiovascular disease?

Research has shown that health coaching can greatly benefit people with heart disease. In this trial, participants in the Health Coaching Intervention Group will receive 12 health coaching sessions over a 16-week period following discharge. One study found that participants in a health coaching program had fewer hospital visits and shorter stays. Another study discovered that health coaching helped individuals lose weight, lower their body mass index (BMI), and reduce anxiety, while also promoting healthier eating habits. It also significantly decreased their estimated risk of heart disease over the next five years. Overall, health coaching appears to encourage lifestyle changes that improve heart health. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Beth Steinberg, PhD, RN

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients recently discharged with cardiovascular diseases like heart attack or heart failure. Participants should have had a myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure and be willing to attend virtual health coaching sessions.

Inclusion Criteria

Physical condition effectively managed by routine healthcare and not requiring urgent medical attention

I have heart disease that led to a heart attack and/or heart failure.

Ability to communicate in English

Exclusion Criteria

Resident of extended care/skilled facility

Prisoners or ward of state

Current alcohol or drug dependency

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 12 virtual health coaching sessions over 16 weeks post-discharge

16 weeks

12 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including hospital readmissions and MyChart messages

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Health Coaching

Trial Overview The study tests if adding 12 virtual health coaching sessions over 16 weeks can improve health outcomes, patient satisfaction, reduce questions to providers via MyChart, and lower hospital readmission rates compared to standard care after discharge.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Health Coaching Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive 12 health coaching sessions post-discharge over a 16 week period

Group II: Standard Care Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will receive usual post-discharge care over the 16 week period

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

This review analyzed five studies on life coaching interventions in healthcare, finding that while the evidence is limited, some patients, particularly those who typically do not respond well to standard interventions, showed promising improvements in health outcomes like HbA1c levels.

The studies suggest that life coaching may enhance self-efficacy and self-empowerment, indicating that alternative communication and approaches in patient care can lead to better engagement and outcomes for disadvantaged patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can life coaching improve health outcomes?--A systematic review of intervention studies. Ammentorp, J., Uhrenfeldt, L., Angel, F., et al.[2022]

Patients referred to health coaching by their physician were much more likely to enroll (21.0% vs 6.0%) and complete the program (8.5% vs 2.7%) compared to those identified through insurer outreach, highlighting the importance of physician involvement in patient engagement.

Both groups showed significant improvements in health risk levels after health coaching, indicating that health coaching can effectively reduce health risks regardless of the referral source, but physician referrals greatly enhance participation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Physician Referral to Health Coaching on Patient Engagement and Health Risks: An Observational Study of UPMC's Prescription for Wellness. Parkinson, MD., Hammonds, T., Keyser, DJ., et al.[2021]

The Health Coaching Program, tested by 20 family doctors over 12 months, successfully engaged 91% of invited patients, demonstrating high acceptance and feasibility among both patients and physicians.

Of the patients who participated, 37% completed all four steps of the program, and about 50% achieved a positive behavior change, indicating the program's effectiveness in promoting health behavior improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Health counseling in primary care doctors' offices: a new wind! The Health Coaching Program of the Swiss College of Primary Care Medicine]. Neuner-Jehle, S., Grüninger, U., Schmid, M.[2015]

Health coaching is being tested by Medicare as a method to help patients with chronic illnesses like congestive heart failure and diabetes improve their self-management and lifestyle changes.

This approach aims to prevent hospitalizations, making it a promising strategy for home health providers to support patients in managing their conditions effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health coaching: a new and exciting technique to enhance patient self-management and improve outcomes. Huffman, M.[2019]

In a study involving 441 low-income patients with poorly controlled chronic conditions, those who received 12 months of health coaching showed a significant increase in trust towards their primary care providers compared to those receiving usual care.

The increase in trust was measured using the Trust in Physician Scale, with health coaching resulting in a mean trust level increase of 3.9 compared to 1.5 in the usual care group, suggesting that integrating health coaches into primary care could strengthen patient-provider relationships.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does health coaching change patients' trust in their primary care provider? Thom, DH., Hessler, D., Willard-Grace, R., et al.[2022]

A culturally specific health coaching program for South Asians effectively engages participants in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, with 1,051 individuals completing at least one year of coaching out of 3,132 candidates.

The program shows low attrition rates and utilizes non-medically trained coaches, making it a cost-effective strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention, although further research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of cultural adaptations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A culturally specific health coaching program targeting cardiovascular disease risk in South Asians: rationale, design, and baseline data. Sathe, A., Flowers, E., Mathur, A., et al.[2013]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11513497/

Coaching People with Cardiovascular Disease to Close ... Participants in The COACH Program achieved a statistically significant reduction in number of hospital episodes, length of stay in hospital, ...

2. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.123.011475

Health Coaching Improves Outcomes of Informal ... CONCLUSIONS: This virtual health coaching intervention was effective in improving self-care and stress in heart failure caregivers.

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/757469

Coaching patients On Achieving Cardiovascular Health ... The COACH Program resulted in a significantly greater reduction in body weight; BMI; dietary intake of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and anxiety ...

4. acc.org acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2025/02/01/42/Prioritizing-Health-Journey-of-the-Health-and-Well-Being-Coaching-Profession

Journey of the Health and Well-Being Coaching Profession Research has shown that HWC significantly improves engagement in lifestyle interventions, leading to better cardiovascular outcomes. For example ...

5. neurology.org neurology.org/doi/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200220

Health and Wellness Coaching for 5-Year Projected ... Health and wellness coaching resulted in a significant RRR in the 5-year CVD risk compared with UC at 9 months post-randomization in patients with a high ...

6. uspharmacist.com uspharmacist.com/article/health-coaching-for-cardiovascular-risk-reduction

Health Coaching for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction For secondary outcomes, the COACH program showed a significant impact on a reduction of calculated LDL cholesterol, body weight, BMI, anxiety ...

7. bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-025-02957-0

Multifaceted health coaching intervention for cardiovascular ... Research into the effectiveness and feasibility of health coaching in rehabilitation and prevention has shown promise [13], but results have ...

8. fcm.ucsf.edu fcm.ucsf.edu/sites/g/files/tkssra17611/files/Sharma_AfterHealthcoaching.pdf

What Happens After Health Coaching? Observational Study 1 ... We conducted an observational study evaluating the maintenance of improved cardiovascular risk factors following a health coaching intervention. METHODS We ...