Developing a digital heart failure symptom management intervention using the preparation phase of the Multiphase Optimization StraTegy

Background

Persons with heart failure (HF) often experience bothersome symptoms in daily life, which can negatively affect their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Self-care e.g. to monitor and manage symptoms, is essential in HF management. Self-care can stabilize the disease, reduce symptoms, and improve outcomes. However, patients often find it difficult to recognize and manage symptoms due to various factors. Consequently, many people delay acting until their symptoms become too severe to manage by themselves. This highlights the need for timely engagement in symptom monitoring and interpretation to enable early and appropriate responses. In the SympTom mAnagement and self-caRe (STAR) study, we prepare (phase 1), optimize (phase 2), and evaluate (phase 3) a digital intervention using the Multiphase Optimization StraTegy (MOST). The STAR intervention supports patients with HF in recognizing their symptoms and taking timely, appropriate actions.