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Randomized controlled trial on the long-term efficacy of a multifaceted, interdisciplinary lifestyle intervention in reducing cardiovascular risk and improving lifestyle in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease

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Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an interdisciplinary intervention known as Educoeur in reducing cardiovascular risk and improving health behaviors in people without evidence of cardiovascular disease and to compare the Educoeur program to interventions in a specialized clinic and in usual care family practice. In a parallel, randomized, controlled trial of 185 adults with at least two modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, patients were randomly assigned to either Educoeur, specialized clinic or usual care. Cardiovascular risk, biological and lifestyle measures were assessed at baseline and at 2 years. In Educoeur, measurements were also taken before and after the lifestyle group treatment program. In 12 weeks, patients in Educoeur significantly lowered their cardiovascular risk, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, kilocalories intake and improved their VO2 Max and mental health. Changes remained significant at 2 years. Between group comparisons at 2 years demonstrated that Educoeur was significantly better in reducing cardiovascular risk than interventions in usual care. Together, these results highlight the importance of providing interdisciplinary programs that optimize cardiovascular risk reduction and promote active lifestyles in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the study participants of Educoeur. We also thank the research nurses Martine Gauthier, Suzanne Dubreuil, Denise Dubreuil, the statistician Miguel Chagnon from the University of Montreal, the kinesiologist Étienne Dumais-Roy, the nutritionist Julie St-Jean, and Lise Lussier for her secretarial work. This study was supported by an unconditional grant from Pfizer Canada Inc.

Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada

    Lysanne Goyer, Robert Dufour, Caroline Janelle, Chantal Blais, Christine L’Abbé, Émilie Raymond, Jacques de Champlain & Pierre Larochelle

  2. Department of Nutrition, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Robert Dufour

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Université de Montréal and Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada

    Pierre Larochelle

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  1. Lysanne Goyer
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  2. Robert Dufour
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  3. Caroline Janelle
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  5. Christine L’Abbé
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  7. Jacques de Champlain
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  8. Pierre Larochelle
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Correspondence to Pierre Larochelle.

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Jacques de Champlain: Deceased after completion of this study.

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Goyer, L., Dufour, R., Janelle, C. et al. Randomized controlled trial on the long-term efficacy of a multifaceted, interdisciplinary lifestyle intervention in reducing cardiovascular risk and improving lifestyle in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease. J Behav Med 36, 212–224 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9407-3

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