title: Impact of tracheostomy placement on anxiety in mechanically ventilated adult ICU patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if self-reported anxiety levels decreased after tracheostomy placement in a sample of mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is limited research regarding the impact of a tracheostomy on patients' anxiety. Elevated anxiety delays healing and contributes to long-term mental health complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a secondary analysis of data from a large clinical trial conducted in urban Minnesota. Fifty-one of 116 patients received a tracheostomy. Anxiety scores were obtained daily using the Visual Analog Scale-Anxiety. Mixed model analysis was used to compare anxiety ratings pre- and post-tracheostomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant decrease in anxiety following tracheostomy after controlling for time and gender (all p > .16). Age was the only variable to impact anxiety levels: anxiety scores increased as age increased (p = .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prospective studies are needed to more accurately assess the impact of tracheostomy placement on patient anxiety and salient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Mercy Hospital, 2 West, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN 55433, USA. Electronic address: burgesj@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Breckenridge
authors.affiliation: Symptom Management Research, College of Nursing, Ohio State University, 398 Newton Hall, 1585 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chlan
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 5-140 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Savik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Adult; Anxiety; Intensive care unit; Mechanical ventilation; Tracheostomy