title: Developing anxiety-reduction procedures for a ventilator-dependent pediatric patient.
abstract: This study evaluated two strategies to reduce anxiety behaviors which interfered with the daily tracheostomy care and ventilator maintenance of an eight-year-old ventilator-dependent boy. A multiple-baseline design (across ventilator and tracheostomy procedures) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of an information-only procedure and combined relaxation and cognitive distraction procedures. Partial-interval recording was used to measure heart rate, disruptive mouth noises, and demands and complaints to staff members. The patient's behavior did not change during a no-intervention baseline or during the information-only condition. Cognitive distraction and relaxation procedures were introduced, first during ventilator checks and then during tracheostomy care; corresponding decreases in heart rate, mouth noises, and demands and complaints were noted. Gains were maintained at one year follow-up. Results suggest that information alone may not effectively reduce anxiety behaviors for some ventilator-dependent patients unless additional anxiety-reduction procedures are implemented.
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center/Meyer Rehabilitation Institute, Omaha 68198.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Warzak
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Bischoff
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Stefans
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000628:therapy*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*