Background: Heart failure (HF) management necessitates effective post-discharge transition. Despite the importance of transitional care, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of
nurse-led home-based self-care programs for patients with heart failure in Iranian post-discharge settings.Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of a
nurse-led home self-care program on the quality of life (QoL) and physiological indicators of patients with HF.Methods: This randomized controlled trial included ۵۰ patients hospitalized at Dr. Heshmat Educational and Medical Center (Rasht, Iran), who were allocated to intervention and control groups using permuted-block randomization with allocation concealment via sealed opaque envelopes (SNOSE). The intervention group received a bedside educational program comprising seven modules, each lasting ۵–۱۵ minutes, followed by four weeks of post-discharge tele-nursing delivered through weekly ۱۵-minute calls. The control group received standard hospital care. Of the ۵۸ patients initially assessed, ۵۰ were included in the final analysis. Outcomes were measured using the SF-۱۲, the Minnesota Living with
Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), and physiological parameters. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and ANCOVA.Results: The participants had a mean age of ۶۰.۰۰ ± ۸.۸۷ years (mostly male). After adjusting for baseline values, there were no significant between-group differences in heart failure-specific QoL (MLHFQ: adjusted mean difference -۶.۷, ۹۵% CI -۱۵.۹ to ۲.۶, P=۰.۱۵۴) or general QoL (adjusted mean difference ۰.۱, ۹۵% CI -۱.۴ to ۱.۶, P=۰.۸۹۱). However, pulse rate was significantly lower in the intervention group (adjusted mean difference: -۹.۸ bpm; ۹۵% CI: -۱۶.۸ to -۲.۸; P=۰.۰۰۷). No significant adjusted differences were observed in systolic/diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, or oxygen saturationConclusion: While the four-week
nurse-led self-care program did not significantly improve QoL scores, it was associated with a significant reduction in resting pulse rate. This structured tele-nursing model provides a feasible framework for post-discharge management. Future studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended to evaluate potential long-term effects on quality of life and clinical outcomes.