A randomized clinical trial of nursing care for recovery from cardiac surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a psychoeducational nursing intervention in patients who receive coronary artery bypass graft and valve repair surgery.


METHODS
A cluster-randomized controlled trial design.


METHODS
Two hospitals in the western United States--a large community hospital with an active cardiovascular surgery practice and a health-sciences research center.


METHODS
156 patients between 25 and 75 years of age, 125 (81.1%) men, and 31 (19.9%) women, all with primary care givers.


METHODS
Self-efficacy expectations, activities (behavior performance), quality of life, mood state.


METHODS
Supplemental in-hospital education followed by telephone contact from discharge to eighth week after discharge.


RESULTS
Patients in the experimental group reported significantly greater self-efficacy expectations for walking and behavior performance for walking, lifting, climbing stairs, general exertion and, where applicable, for working.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial suggests that a low-intensity psychoeducational nursing intervention can promote self-efficacy expectations for walking in recovery and is associated with more self-reported walking and lifting behavior after cardiac surgery.
Gilliss
C L
CL
School of Nursing, Dept. of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0606.
Gortner
S R
SR
Hauck
W W
WW
Shinn
J A
JA
Sparacino
P A
PA
Tompkins
C
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012648:Self Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome