Effectiveness of an informative video on reducing anxiety levels in patients undergoing elective coronarography: an RCT.
BACKGROUND
Anxiety levels have a considerable effect on patients during hospitalization. Cardiology Departments are characterized by a high turn-over of patients and it is necessary to give clear and exhaustive information routinely in compliance with legal and deontological requirements.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an informative video, devised for patients undergoing coronarography, on reducing anxiety levels and getting more satisfaction from the received information.


METHODS
A two arm RCT design was chosen. The patients in both study arms received standard care while the informative video was shown in the treatment group. The Spielberger scale was used to measure anxiety levels before the procedure while satisfaction as to the received information was measured using a scale with semantic indications.


RESULTS
Ninety-three patients accepted to take part in the study. The weighted mean difference (WMD) between the anxiety levels of the treated and controlled groups was -8.24 (CI 95%: -12.04/-4.44; p<0.00001). The WMD of the level of satisfaction for the received information was +22.23 (CI 95%: +12.73/+31.73; p<0.00001).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the informative video in Cardiology Departments proves to be highly recommended as an instrument to lower anxiety levels and increase significantly the level of satisfaction deriving from the received information.
Ruffinengo
Carlo
C
Human Resources Development, ASO San Giovanni Battista, Turin, Italy. carlo.ruffinengo@unito.it
Versino
Elisabetta
E
Renga
Giovanni
G
D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000523:psychology*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording / Q000379:methods*