Michael L. Alosco|Mary Beth Spitznagel|Manfred H. M. van Dulmen|Naftali Raz|Ronald A. Cohen|Lawrence H. Sweet|Lisa H. Colbert|Richard Josephson|Joel W. Hughes|Jim Rosneck|John Gunstad
Cognitive Function and Treatment Adherence in Older Adults With Heart Failure
objective treatment recommendation guidelines patients heart failure hf complex past work shown patients hf demonstrate low rates adherence recommended health behaviors although previous work identified several medical demographic psychosocial predictors capacity adhere treatment recommendations persons hf little known contribution cognitive impairment reported treatment adherence population methods total 149 persons hf mean standard deviation 6808 1074 years completed brief fitness assessment neuropsychological testing treatment adherence assessed using heart failure compliance questionnaire brief measure asks participants report adherence variety recommended health behaviors ie medication management diet exercise among others results percentage participants reported poor overall adherence 161 particularly high rates nonadherence dietary exercise recommendations hierarchical regression analyses adjusting possible confounds revealed reduced performance attention 26 p 01 executive function 18 p 04 language 22 p 01 associated poorer overall adherence followup analyses showed cognitive domains associated behaviors keeping doctor appointments medication management dietary recommendations p 05 conclusions current findings demonstrate cognitive function independent contributor adherence older adults hf prospective studies objectively measure treatment adherence needed clarify findings identify possible strategies improve outcomes population trial registration clinicaltrialsgov identifier nct00871897