Table 1.
Attributes and levels of the conjoint design
| Attributes | Levels |
|---|---|
| Dyspnea | |
| 1 | Never dyspnea, except on increased physical exertion |
| 2 | Dyspnea during exertion |
| 3 | Dyspnea at walking pace |
| 4 | Dyspnea during slightest physical exertion |
| 5 | Dyspnea at rest |
| Exhaustion during mental activities* | |
| 1 | No exhaustion |
| 2 | Mild exhaustion |
| 3 | Strong exhaustion |
| 4 | Permanent exhaustion |
| Physical capacity in daily activities | |
| 1 | Can freely organize my day |
| 2 | Can freely organize most of my day |
| 3 | Can organize my day only partly |
| 4 | Cannot organize my day at all |
| Autonomy | |
| 1 | No assistance necessary |
| 2 | Sometimes assistance necessary |
| 3 | Frequent assistance necessary |
| 4 | Rely on permanent assistance |
| Fear due to heart failure | |
| 1 | No fear |
| 2 | Have fear sometimes |
| 3 | Have fear often |
| 4 | Permanent fear/panic |
Note:
*
For example, active participation in discussions, reading, using computer, and watching TV.