本研究為探討心臟衰竭老人症狀困擾與飲食自我效能之相關性。透過橫斷式 (cross-scetional)結構性問卷調查法，收集台灣北部兩所醫院心臟科門診就診之 65歲以上心臟衰竭患者共 153人。研究結果 :心臟衰竭最受困擾的症狀是「疲憊」、「咳嗽」、「說話或穿衣時感到呼吸短促」；鹽份攝取自我效能最低為「家裏有客人仍維持吃低鹽食品」，水份攝取自我效能表現最差為「每天維持記錄喝水量」；鹽分攝取自我效能預測因子為「說話或穿衣時會感到呼吸短促」，每增加鹽分攝取自我效能 1分則說話或穿衣時呼吸短促症狀困擾得分減少 0.2691分 (t = -2.732, p= .007)；「疲憊」為水分攝取自我效能預測因子，解釋量 30.7%，水分攝取自我效能每增加 1分則疲憊症狀困擾得分減少 2.015分 (t = -2.345, p= .02)。研究結果可應用於醫護人員介入心臟衰竭老人自我管理行為服務之依據。

This research had total 153 older outpatients with heart failure were recruited via purposive sampling in the medical center. Study results included: When the score of the self-efficacy for salt intake increased one score, the score of「shortness of breath when talking or dressing」symptom distress was decreased 0.2691(t=-2.732, p= .007); When the score of the self-efficacy for fluid intake increased one score, the score of「fatigue」symptom distress was decreased 2.015(t=-2.345, p= .02). In accordance with study results the medical team could intervene in the improvement of self-management behavior thus, that could promote the self-care in patients with heart failures at home.