An Information–Motivation–Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model-Based Intervention for CABG Patients

In order to benefit from a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, patients must adhere to medical recommendations and
health advices. Despite the importance of adherence in CABG patients, adherence rates are disappointingly low. Despite the
low adherence rates, very few articles regarding adherence-enhancing intervention among heart patients have been published.

The goal of this study was to assess the effects of the Information–Motivation–Behavioral Skills (IMB) model-based intervention
on the IMB model constructs among patients undergoing CABG and to evaluate the relationship of information, motivation, and
behavioral skills with adherence.

A total of 152 CABG patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or to a standard care control group. Participants
completed pretest measures and were reassessed 1 month later.

Findings showed mixed support for the effectiveness of the intervention. There was a significant effect of IMB intervention
on information and motivation of patients, but no significant effect on behavioral skills. Furthermore, the results revealed
that intervention constructs (information, motivation, and behavioral skills) were significantly related to patients’ adherence.

Findings provided initial evidence for the effectiveness of IMB-based interventions on the IMB constructs and supported the
importance of these constructs to improve adherence; however, there are additional factors that need to be identified in order
to improve behavioral skills more effectively.