NCT03938116

Healing Hearts Together: Evaluating a Couples-based Intervention to Improve Health Outcomes

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 608 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of the 8-week Healing Hearts Together (HHT) program to improve relationship quality, mental health, quality of life (QoL), and cardiovascular health. This is a randomized controlled trial in which couples are randomly assigned to the HHT group or usual care. Changes in the outcomes of interest will be assessed at the end of the intervention (8 weeks) and 6 months later.

Conditions

• Cardiovascular Diseases

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Healing Hearts Together	Participants in the HHT group will be assembled in groups and attend 8 weekly 2-hr sessions at UOHI led by 2 facilitators with psychology training. Sessions: 1) focus on understanding love, attachment, and their relationship to heart health; 2) provide an opportunity to share experiences related to cardiovascular disease with partners and peers; and 3) assist in identifying and improving communication patterns that may inhibit positive interactions and healthy behaviours. Participants are introduced to concepts through didactic presentations, videos, group and couple discussion and homework exercises. Participants will receive a folder containing copies of in-session and take-home exercises as well as the Hold Me Tight book to review between sessions.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-10-01
• Primary completion: 2026-03-01
• Completion: 2026-03-01
• First posted: 2019-05-06
• Last updated: 2025-11-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada