Abstract
BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death in the world and accounts for 23% of mortalities. Self-care for senior patients with myocardial infarction can reduce complications, multiple hospitalizations, and financial costs. METHODS: This clinical trial was performed on 128 older adults with myocardial infarction. Available sampling was done via block random sampling among patients at the Heart Clinic of Booali Hospital, Qazvin, Iran. Data were collected through interviews and demographic and self-care questionnaires regarding heart disease. Data analysis was conducted using R software, version 4.1.0, and via the mixed-effects model method and post hoc and contrast tests. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 65.54±4.50 years. Before the intervention, self-care maintenance was not significantly different between the 2 groups. After the intervention, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups (P=0.001). No statistically meaningful difference concerning self-care monitoring existed between the 2 groups at the beginning of the study (P=0.03); however, a significant difference emerged after the intervention (P=0.001). A difference existed between the groups regarding self-care confidence study commencement in that the self-care confidence level in the control group was higher (P=0.013), but no difference was observed following the intervention. Nonetheless, after 1 month, the groups were significantly statistically different (P=0.003) in that the self-care confidence level in the intervention group increased. CONCLUSION: Mobile health could improve self-care in older adults with myocardial infarction.