A systematic review 1 including 12 studies with a total of 1154 subjects (8 randomised studies, n=896 and 4 non-randomised studies, n= 258) was abstracted in DARE. This narrative review found that 3 randomised studies involving nurse-led counselling found better compliance in the intervention group than in the control group for medication use, weighing or dietary change, but not in fluid restriction. Three other randomised studies involving pharmacist-led counselling found better compliance in the intervention group than in the control group for medication compliance. Two other randomised studies found better medication compliance with interventions based on mailing educational materials, or a daily telephone reminder, compared with the control group. Among three of the non-randomised studies, nurse- or dietician-led counselling resulted in a decrease in sodium intake or fluid intake, but no change in medication compliance. The fourth non-randomised study did not have compliance (in daily weighing) measured before the intervention but reported it as 75% after the intervention.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by review limitations (insufficient description of the study selection and quality assessment processes of the included papers and lack of adequate information on individual studies) and by heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes. Evidence-based interventions are scarce and more interventions need to be developed and tested.
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