Consolidated standards of reporting trials (Consort) flowchart.
The mean age of the patients was 68 years in both groups. The intervention group (n = 33) counted 22 male patients and 11 female patients; the control group (n = 35), 22 male patients and 13 female patients. Patients’ AF symptoms varied considerably; from almost no symptoms to symptoms disabling their everyday life. Twenty-two of the enrolled intervention patients were accompanied by their spouses; four patients, by adult son or daughter; three patients, by a friend; and four patients attended alone because they had no family member who could accompany them. The groups were considered similar at baseline as no clinical difference was observed between the groups for the baseline variables, all patient characteristic at baseline are presented in 