Using the CHANGE intervention to enhance long-term exercise.

Although Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is effective at reconditioning people following cardiac events, it has had limited effectiveness in assisting participants to maintain the long-term exercise necessary for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. This article describes a promising new intervention, CHANGE (Change Habits by Applying New Goals and Experiences), designed to enhance individuals' problem solving, self-efficacy, and relapse prevention skills regarding long-term exercise. Five small-group, nurse-led sessions are used to provide the intervention during the last three weeks of the formal CR program, and at one and two months following CR. Pilot data indicate that the CHANGE intervention has a positive effect on number and length of exercise sessions, number of minutes exercised, and time spent in target heart rate (HR) zone as measured by wristwatch HR monitors for three months following CR. The CHANGE intervention was found to be acceptable to clients and feasible to clinicians.