The Effect of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Cardiac Chest Pain Management Training on Perceived Control, Depression, Stress and Anxiety in the Spouses of the Patients with Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death is the most common cause of mortality worldwide. Most cases occur at home and the individuals most likely witnessed are family members. Spouses play a significant role in the recovery of such patients. We aimed to investigate the effect of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and cardiac chest pain management trainings on the perceived control, depression, stress and anxiety in the spouses of the patients with Myocardial Infarction (MI). METHODS: The present randomized controlled trial study was performed on 78 spouses of the patients admitted to Cardiac Care Unit of the hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from August 2013 to April 2014. The subjects were randomly assigned into intervention (n=40) and control groups (n=38). The intervention group took part in educational workshop on CPR and cardiac chest pain management and followed-up for six weeks. Data were collected using Depression Anxiety Stress (DASS) Scale and Rotter’s internal-external locus of Control Scale. Statistical methods of data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, paired sample t-test, independent sample t-test, one way analysis of covariance, and multivariate analysis of covariance. RESULTS: There were significant differences between intervention and control groups in perceived control and DASS subscales. After the intervention, perceived control scores reduced from 9.42±3.33 to 8.15±3.65 (P=0.001); depression from 28.85±11.99 to 21.65±8.64 (P=0.001); anxiety from 26.6±9.46 to 20.70±6.29 (P=0.02); and stress from 30.20±10.91 to 24.32±10.23 (P=0.01) in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: CPR and cardiac chest pain management trainings could effectively improve the perceived control, depression, anxiety, and stress in the spouses of the patients with MI. Trial Registration Number: IRCT201310128124N2.