A randomised controlled trial of goal setting and pacing for cardiac patients not suitable for group-based cardiac rehabilitation

INTERVENTION: 1. Goal‐setting and pacing 2. Standard care 3. Attention control procedure CONDITION: Cardiovascular diseases: Heart disease ; Circulatory System ; Heart disease PRIMARY OUTCOME: The primary outcome will be an increase in fitness measured in (METS) using a standardised exercise test. The patients will also keep an activity diary. Other variables to be measured will include anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), health beliefs (Illness Perception Questionnaire), this questionnaire has been shown to predict a number of aspects of recovery in post‐MI patients, medical co‐morbidity, the number of acute events (including hospital admissions), the number of consultations for cardiac reasons, risk factor profile, a cumulative secondary prevention score (using the method of the ASPIRE group), systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest and following exercise and the EuroQU0L, a measure of health‐related quality of life. All of these measures have been validated for use in this patient group and will be piloted during Phase 1 for suitability when other measures may be added. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: Coronary care patients