Abstract: Objective: To construct and assess the effectiveness of a thirst symptom management program for patients with Chronic Heart Failure, offering a potential reference for clinical thirst care. Methods: Based on symptom management theory, we built a protocol for managing thirst based on a comprehensive review of existing literature and expert consultation. Patients from cardiology and CCU wards of a tertiary hospital in Nantong city from November 2023 to February 2024 were selected by convenience sampling method as research subjects, and randomly divided into either control group or intervention group using the random number table method, with 43 patients in each group. While the control group received routine treatment and care, the intervention group participated a one-week intensive thirst management program in addition to the standard care. Results: The newly developed thirsty management program comprised three components: thirst experience, thirst management strategy, management effect and 10 contents, 37 specific contents. A total of 39 patients in each group completed this study. On the 7th day and 28th day of the intervention, the intervention group experienced significantly lower levels of thirst intensity (2.69±1.52 and 1.85±0.99), distress (15.87±4.99 and 14.87±5.12), and duration (3.49±1.32 and 2.72±1.12) compared to the control group. Improvement in moistness of oral mucosal in the lips and tongue were also more pronounced in intervention group, with statistically significant (P<0.05). None of the two groups occurred cardiac death within 28 days after discharge. The readmission rate within 28 days after discharge in the intervention group was lower than that of the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The thirst symptom management program for patients with Chronic Heart Failure is a scientific, reliable, comprehensive, and actionable, and is effective in improving thirst symptoms in clinical applications.

Key words: Chronic Heart Failure; symptom management theory; thirst; Delphi method