Effectiveness of a Tailored Lifestyle Management Program for Middle-Aged Women With Coronary Artery Disease: A Preliminary Study

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death in women. Many of the risk factors for CAD relate to lifestyle and thus may be influenced by lifestyle modification. However, middle-aged women often find it difficult to adjust their lifestyle behaviors. Thus, providing individualized treatment is crucial to reducing the risk and incidence of CAD in this population. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a tailored lifestyle management program (TLMP) for middle-aged women with CAD. Methods: An experimental design was employed. Thirty-five middle-aged women with CAD (with stenosis [>50%] of at least one main artery as determined by cardiac catheterization examination results) were recruited. The 35 women were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 17) or the control group (n = 18). Both groups received regular health education during their hospitalization. After discharge, the experimental group received the 12-week, home-based TLMP. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the effects of the TLMP on metabolic and biomarker indicators for CAD. Results: The average age of participants was 56.1 +/- 5.6 years. No significant demographic differences were identified between the two groups. Compared with the control group, the experimental group had a significantly higher high-density lipoprotein level (B = 7.83, p < .001), a lower level of total cholesterol (B = -49.21, p = .04), and a lower waist circumference (B = -6.42, p < .001). Conclusions/Implications for Practice: This study suggests that using tailored interventions is an effective approach to improving high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and waist circumference in middle-aged women with CAD. This result is expected to have important implications for women's healthcare, particularly in terms of preventing the incidence of CAD.