Wives' responses to counselling early after myocardial infarction.
Self-ratings of anxiety and depression were studied over six months in 60 wives of first time myocardial infarction patients. Couples were randomly assigned to either a treatment group, where they received a simple programme of education and psychological support in addition to routine care, or to a control group, where they received routine care only. All wives 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 heart attack. Wives in the treatment group reported statistically significantly less anxiety than controls. This effect was sustained for six months after the counselling. It is concluded that a simple programme of in hospital counselling is efficacious and should be routinely offered to the wives of coronary patients.
Thompson
D R
DR
Coronary Care Unit, Leicester General Hospital.
Meddis
R
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010556:Personality Tests; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012803:Sick Role