Effects of pre-operative individualized education on anxiety and pain severity in patients following open-heart surgery

OBJECTIVES: Individualized education is important for preparing patients for the operation both physically and psychologically. This study investigated the effects of pre-operative individualized education for open-heart surgery patients on post-operative anxiety and pain severity. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in a university hospital between January and October 2014 and involved 109 patients. Data were collected through a form developed by the authors, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the visual analog scale (VAS). Patients underwent STAI 1 day before the operation to identify their sources of anxiety and educational needs, and then individualized education was given accordingly. 1 day after the operation, STAI was used to measure patients’ state anxiety level, and VAS was used to measure their pain level. The effect of demographic variables on differences in anxiety and pain was investigated. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 59.62; 69.7% were male, 92.7% were married, 49.5% graduated from primary school, and the majority (71.6%) had coronary heart disease. The most common sources of anxiety reported the participants included lack of knowledge, being away from family, risk of death, and pain. An analysis of the participants’ pre-operative mean scores for state anxiety displayed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) according to age groups and gender. No significant difference was detected between mean pre- and post-operative state anxiety scores. There was a statistically significant relationship between mean pre- and post-operative state anxiety scores and mean pain scores. CONCLUSIONS: The individualized education is given to patients before surgery was found to have potential effects on their post-operative pain levels.