Linking life goals to health goals did not significantly increase intention-to-change-lifestyle compared to setting health goals alone in CVD patients (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.71-1.34; p=0.88).
RCT (n=629)
randomized
Does linking life goals to health goals improve intention-to-change-lifestyle in patients with cardiovascular disease?
Linking life goals to health goals did not significantly increase overall intention to change lifestyle in CVD patients, though it increased preference for stress management goals and showed potential benefit in lower- and medium-educated patients.
Odds Ratio: 0.98 (95% CI 0.71–1.34)
p-value: p=0.88
Abstract Objectives Guidelines advocate goal setting for promoting lifestyle changes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. This study investigates 1) preferences in health and life goal domains in CVD patients, 2) the impact of linking life goals to health goals on intention‐to‐change‐lifestyle and explores 3) socio‐demographic and health‐related variables influencing intention‐to‐change‐lifestyle. Design Online experimental study. Methods Patients ( N = 629, mean age 66.6; 39% female) were randomized to health‐goal‐group ( HG ) or life‐and‐health‐goal‐group ( LHG ). HG set a health goal, and LHG first established a life goal and then set a supporting health goal. Directly after goal setting, the primary outcome, intention‐to‐change‐lifestyle, was measured and analysed using logistic regression (high: 9–10 vs. lower: ≤8.5), as were the secondary outcomes. Results Exercise goals were most frequently selected in LHG (66.0%) and HG (66.9%). Preference for selecting stress management was significantly higher in LHG (17.3%) than HG (9.3%), χ 2 (1) = 8.85, p = .003; OR = 2.05, 95%CI 1.27–3.30. The direct effect of goal‐setting condition on intention‐to‐change‐lifestyle was non‐significant (OR = .98, 95%CI .71–1.34, p = .88). In exploratory analyses, lower‐ and medium‐educated patients showed significantly higher intention when life and health goals were linked (OR = 2.55, 95%CI 1.03–6.27, p = .04, and OR = 2.47, 95%CI 1.15–5.30, p = .02, respectively). Perceived meaning in life was positively associated with intention. Conclusions No main effect of goal‐setting condition on intention‐to‐change‐lifestyle was found. Linking life goals to health goals increased preference for stress management and, in exploratory analyses, was associated with higher intention‐to‐change‐lifestyle among lower‐ and medium‐educated patients. Findings emphasize the relevance of personalized, value‐based goal setting within cardiac rehabilitation.
IJzerman et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in cardiovascular disease (CVD) (n=629). Linking life goals to health goals vs. Setting a health goal only was evaluated on intention-to-change-lifestyle (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.71-1.34, p=0.88). Linking life goals to health goals did not significantly increase intention-to-change-lifestyle compared to setting health goals alone in CVD patients (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.71-1.34; p=0.88).