The Effects of Scheduled Visitation Policy on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among the Family Members of Patients with Open Heart Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hadis Asadollahi1,, Fateme Goudarzi2,, Farzad Ebrahimzadeh, Ali Pooria, Nasrin Galehdar

Abstract


Background: Visiting patients in special care units can effect depression, anxiety, and stress patients and their families. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of Scheduled Visitation Policy on depression, anxiety, and stress among the family members of patients with Open Heart Surgery (OHS).

Materials and Methods: This randomized, controlled, clinical trial was conducted on 66 family members of patients with OHS. They were randomly allocated to two groups of intervention (n = 33) and control (n = 33) through permuted block randomization. Participants in the intervention group received scheduled visitation policy in three 30‑minute sessions for 3 consecutive days after OHS, and their counterparts in the control group were treated with routine restricted visitation. All participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale DASS‑21 before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using Chi‑square, paired‑sample t‑test and the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) (p < 0.05).

Results: The mean [standard deviation (SD)] of depression, anxiety, and stress did not change in the control group, while it significantly decreased in the intervention group [2.27 (4.06) vs 11.97 (7.13), 2.52 (3.26) vs 11.67 (7.36), and 2.45 (4.11) vs 12.93 (6.80), respectively; p < 0.05]. Consequently, ANCOVA test showed the mean posttest scores of depression, anxiety, and stress in the intervention group were significantly less than those in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Scheduled visitation policy significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress among the family members of patients with OHS. Patient‑centered and family‑centered interventions are needed to reduce psychological strains.

 


Keywords


Anxiety, depression, family, open heart surgery, scheduled visitation, stress

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References


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