Heart failure patients demonstrated inadequate self-care behaviors across all versions of the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale, with a pooled mean score of 32.91 on the 12-item scale.
Meta-Analysis (n=6,996)
What is the level of self-care behaviors in heart failure patients as measured by the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale?
The level of self-care in heart failure patients is generally unsatisfactory, highlighting a need for improved patient education and support.
AIM: This study aimed to review the self-care status of heart failure patients through the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale. METHODS: Eligible studies were retrieved by searching in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The studies’ title, abstract, and full text were screened and selected by two researchers independently. The data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software and a random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 7819 studies screened and 31 articles were included finally. The mean scores of selfcare in studies using the 12-item questionnaire were estimated to be 32.91 Å} 1.29 (95% CI: 30.38–35.44), in studies using the 9-item questionnaire it was 25.54 Å} 1.45 (95% CI: 22.68–28.40), in studies using the 9-item questionnaire with standardized score (0–100), it was 62.28 Å} 5.2 (95% CI: 52.08–72.47). CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that the level of self-care in heart failure patients is not satisfactory. Due to the high heterogeneity of the studies, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Cite this article as: Negarandeh, R., Hoseini-Esfidarjani, S.S., & Aghajanloo, A. (2025). Self-care behaviors in heart failure patients using the European Heart Failure Self- Care Behavior Scale: systematic review and meta-analysis. Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing, 34, 0121, doi:10.5152/FNJN.2026.25121.
Negarandeh et al. (Wed,) conducted a meta-analysis in Heart Failure (n=6,996). European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale (EHFScBS) was evaluated on Mean self-care score (12-item EHFScBS) (95% CI 30.38-35.44). Heart failure patients demonstrated inadequate self-care behaviors across all versions of the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale, with a pooled mean score of 32.91 on the 12-item scale.