Improving recovery following cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.
To enhance individual and family health during recovery from heart surgery, this study employed nursing interventions based on self-efficacy and family stress theory during the hospitalization period and for 3 months thereafter. The effectiveness of the interventions were assessed through a randomized trial in which 67 prospective bypass and valve surgery patients, aged 30-77 years, and their spouses, were allocated either the experimental interventions or usual care and followed for 6 months. At 3 months post-surgery, the only statistically significant differences between the experimentals and controls were on perceived self-efficacy for lifting and tolerating emotional distress. At 6 months no significant differences were found on individual or family measures. Analyses revealed that age, gender and preoperative cardiac status significantly affected individual recovery. The study is continuing with a larger sample in order to explicate the recovery process and to better determine whether a low intensity nursing intervention can effect changes in individual and family recovery.
Gortner
S R
SR
School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco.
Gilliss
C L
CL
Shinn
J A
JA
Sparacino
P A
PA
Rankin
S
S
Leavitt
M
M
Price
M
M
Hudes
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors