This RCT study aims to examine the effects of a self-regulation programme on the self-care behaviour and quality of life of patients with heart failure. The following hypothesis was tested: Heart failure patients who receive the self-regulation program will report significant improvements in self-care behaviours after four weeks of the self-regulation programme. In contrast, patients in the control group showed no significant differences.

Eight two patients with heart failure were randomly assigned into the intervention (n = 41) or control group (n = 41). The intervention group participated in a 4-week self-regulation programme, including 20 to 30 minutes of individual self-regulation education and 15 to 20 minutes of telephone follow-up twice per week for four weeks. The control group received only routine outpatient care. Self-care behaviour was measured by the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after patients were enrolled. Quality of life was measure with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged 20 years or older with heart failure diagnosed by a cardiologist (ICD-9:428)
• willing to communicate and participate in this study
• had clear consciousness

Exclusion Criteria:

• a diagnosis of cancer
• a diagnosis of mental illness including anxiety and depression
• had cognitive impairment
• a diagnosis of lung disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• a diagnosis of renal failure