The effect of first phase cardiac rehabilitation programs on anxiety and depression in acute coronary syndrome patients

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of first phase cardiac rehabilitation programs on anxiety and depression in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

Anxiety and depression are psychological factors influencing the prognosis، recovery، and adherence to treatment in patients with ACS. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are an important part of the care plan is arranged for the majority of heart patients.

This clinical trial study was conducted on 88 ACS patients with regard to the inclusion criteria. The subjects were randomly divided to experimental (n=44) and control (n=44) groups. The experimental group participated in four educational sessions of cardiac rehabilitation program، which included familiarity with risk factors of heart disease، nutrition and drugs recommendations، stress and depression reduction methods and exercises training. Information booklet was given at the end of the sessions. Data were collected by demographic and diseaserelated questionnaires and Persian version of Hospital Anxiety Depression Score (HADS). The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16. 0 and descriptive and analytic statistical tests (Independent t-test and Chi-square and Fisher''s exact test).

The findings showed that there was no statistically significant relationship of demographic and disease-related information with anxiety and depression scores before study. There was significant statistical difference between two groups in the mean of anxiety and depression score after intervention (P_0. 0001).

According to the finding، the first phase cardiac rehabilitation programs is effective in reducing anxiety and depression in ACS patients; Therefore، it can be an effective way to plan nursing care of patients with ACS.