A prospective evaluation of in-hospital counselling for first time myocardial infarction men.
Self-ratings of anxiety and depression were studied over six months in 60 male patients, under 66 yr of age, who were admitted to a coronary care unit with a first time acute myocardial infarction. Patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, where they received a simple programme of in-hospital counselling in addition to routine care, or to a control group, where they received routine care only. All patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and a battery of visual analogue scales measuring anxiety on a range of topics related to recovery from a myocardial infarction. Patients who received in-hospital counselling reported statistically significantly less anxiety and depression than those who received routine care alone. This effect was sustained for six months after leaving hospital. It is concluded that a simple programme of in-hospital counselling, provided by a coronary care nurse, is efficacious and should be routinely offered to first myocardial infarction patients in hospital.
Thompson
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DR
Coronary Care Unit, Leicester General Hospital.
Meddis
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D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010556:Personality Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012803:Sick Role