The effect of peer education on quality of life in heart failure patients: A randomized clinical trial

Background and Purpose: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic, debilitating disease, and physical limitations and progressive symptoms of which associated with this condition can reduce quality of life (QOL). Patient education regarding heart HF is one of the main components of self-care. In this respect, peer education is significant in improving health and creating a learning environment. This study was performed to determine the effect of peer education on QOL in HF patients.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study performed during 2016, 60 HF patients affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were randomly divided into intervention and control groups (n=30). After preparing the peer group, four peer-to-peer training sessions were conducted during one month. The Persian version of Ferrans and Powers’ Quality Of Life Questionnaire was used for data collection, which was completed by both groups before, just, and one month after the intervention. SPSS version 21 was employed for data analysis.

Results: No significant difference was observed between the two groups in overall QOL score and its domains before the intervention (P=0.31). The mean scores of QOL immediately after the intervention were 126.2±6.7 and 163.1±1.6 in the case and control groups, respectively. The mean scores of QOL one month after the intervention were 134.5±0.7 and 169.9±2.3 in the case and control groups, respectively. After the intervention, paired t-test showed that peer education had a significant relationship with QOL of the HF patients (P<0001).

Conclusion: Based on this study, peer education intervention can be a beneficial educative-supportive approach, which might enhance QOL in HF patients.