Objective: To evaluate the effects of an educational board game on heart failure (HF) patients' knowledge and self-care behavior. Methods: In this randomized controlled study with a follow-up of 3 months, 76 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, who had been enrolled in our multidisciplinary HF program, were divided into two groups. During their follow-up appointment at the HF clinic usually 2 weeks after discharge, the interventional group participated in an HF educational board game conducted in Thai language, while the control group received the usual care including standard education. The primary outcome was the change of score achieved in the specialized HF knowledge and self-care behavior assessment. Results: In the intervention group, the knowledge and self-care behavior significantly improved (all P < 0.001), whereas both scores were unchanged in the control group (P = 0.09 and P = 0.21). Mean score change for knowledge and self-care behavior showed greater improvement in the intervention group when compared with the control group (P < 0.002 and P < 0.006). Conclusion: Participation in an interactive educational board game resulted in an increase in the HF patients' knowledge and self-care behavior. Practice Implications: An interactive educational board game may be used as an alternative educational tool in HF patients.

Previous studies have demonstrated relationships between religiosity, physical and mental health-related outcomes, and healthy collective longevity. This qualitative study investigated the elements of pleasure and fulfillment in older adults living in the super-aged society of Japan and the rapidly super-aging society of Thailand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 older adults—seven from Japan, and seven from Thailand, covering five topics: (1) pleasures in daily life; (2) purpose in daily life; (3) thoughts about aging; (4) things they do actively for their health; and (5) things they worry about. Data were analyzed using the Steps for Coding and Theorization method. Japanese older adults mostly engaged in individually accomplished pleasures, whereas Thai older adults aimed to experience pleasures involving others. Thai older adults viewed aging as a natural phenomenon and stressed the importance of self-regulation. The Japanese participants, however, focused on activities that would avoid the burden of long-term care, maintain their current lifestyle, and help with self-improvement and lifetime learning. Although Thai older adults derived pleasure and fulfillment from being helpful toward others, Japanese older adults’ narratives indicated that they tended to worry about others. Differences between the two countries’ lifestyles, environments, beliefs, and religious contexts explain the differences in the mechanisms by which Japanese and Thai older adults experience joy, fulfillment, and purpose in life. These results suggest ways to improve quality of life, extend healthy life expectancy, and prevent cognitive decline in older adults thriving in aging societies.

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