Explaining the causal links between illness management and symptom reduction: Development of an evidence-based patient education strategy

To determine whether explaining the causal links between illness management and symptom reduction would help younger and older adults learn and apply health information. Ninety younger and 51 older adults read about a fictitious disease with or without explanations about the cause-and-effects (causal information) of illness management. A knowledge test (applied vs. factual items) was administered immediately and 1-week following the presentation...