Positive Psychology for Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

Feasibility will be measured by examining the number of completed exercises.

Participants will provide ratings of utility after each exercise, measured on a 10-point Likert scale (0=not at all helpful; 10=very helpful). Weekly utility ratings were averaged to provide an overall utility score of the exercises.

Participants will provide ratings of ease after each exercise, measured on a 10-point Likert scale (0=very difficult; 10=very easy). Weekly ratings were averaged to provide an overall ease of the exercises.

ActiGraph GT3X+ step counters are validated as measures of physical activity and have been used in numerous studies of physical activity in patients with medical illness. In this trial, participants will wear the accelerometer for one week at 12 weeks, and another week at 24 weeks to assess the feasibility of doing so and to ensure adequate capture of physical activity. In our analysis, data on pre-ACS activity was collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to control for baseline activity.

Measured by Self-Reported Medication Adherence (SRMA), a two-item self-report medication adherence scale measuring percentage of time (in 10% increments) patients report taking their heart medications in the past one and two weeks. Minimum: 0, Maximum:100. Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Higher score indicates greater levels of medication adherence.

Measured by the MEDFICTS scale, a National Cholesterol Education Program-developed scale inquiring about saturated fat. Minimum= 0; Maximum= 216. Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate lower levels of dietary adherence.

The positive affect items on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), a well-validated scale used in other intervention trials and in patients with medical illnesses, will be used to measure positive affect. (Range: 10-50). Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate higher levels of positive affect.

Life Orientation Test-Revised is a well-validated 6-item instrument used to measure dispositional optimism. (Range: 0-24) Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate higher levels of optimism.

Measured by the State Optimism Scale developed by our team (SOM), which aims to capture the changeable nature of optimism based on time and situation. Minimum:7, Maximum:35. The higher number indicates a greater level of optimism. Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale will be used to measure depression and anxiety. This is a well-validated scale with few somatic symptom items that can confound mood/anxiety assessment in medically-ill patients. (Range: 0-21) Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale will be used to measure depression and anxiety. This is a well-validated scale with few somatic symptom items that can confound mood/anxiety assessment in medically-ill patients.(Range: 0-21). Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate worse outcome (i.e. greater levels of depression).

Measured by the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), a 12-item questionnaire that inquires about activities of daily living, basic physical activity, and more strenuous physical function to gauge overall functional capacity. Minimum: 0, Maximum: 58.2. Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate greater levels of functional capacity.

The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 (SF-12) will be used to measure quality of life. This is an instrument which has been used in multiple cardiac studies in the past. (SF-12 Mental Composite Score and Physical Composite Score Range: 0-100 each). Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate higher level of health related QoL.

The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 (SF-12) will be used to measure quality of life. This is an instrument which has been used in multiple cardiac studies in the past. (SF-12 Mental Composite Score and Physical Composite Score Range: 0-100 each). Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate higher level of health related QoL.

Three Medical Outcomes Study Specific Adherence Scale (MOS SAS) items assessing medication, diet, and exercise, will be measured individually and as a composite score. (Range: 3-18) Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate better adherence to health behaviors.

Measured by a checklist taken from the Women and Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation Study (WISE) to assess the presence and intensity of ten cardiac symptoms felt to best capture the range of symptoms experienced by ACS patients. Minimum: 0, Maximum: 30. Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks. Higher scores indicate greater levels of cardiac symptoms.

Measured by the self-report International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The measure asseses the types of intensity of physical activity that people do as part of their daily lives. All activities are converted to multiples of resting energy expenditure (MET) minutes per week. Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks.

Measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) measure. Minimum: 0, Maximum: 16. Change was calculated by subtracting the score at baseline from the score at 12 and 24 weeks Higher scores indicate greater levels of stress.