Effects of early mobilization program on depression of patients with myocardial infarction hospitalized in CCU

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most common causes of mortality in the world. Due to multiple complications and limiting physical activity and disability, myocardial infarction can cause varying degrees of depression in patients. This study was performed to determine the effect of patients early mobilization program on the depression of patients with MI hospitalized in CCU. This study was a clinical trial that was performed on 38 patients with myocardial infarction in the cardiac care unit of Babol Shahid Beheshti hospital. Samples were selected using purposive sampling and are randomly allocated into experimental and control groups. The test group got out of bed based on a specific program within 12-18 hours after admission. The control group got out of bed based on routine care program within 48 hours after admission. Patient's depression was measured by Hospital Depression Scale (HADS) within 18-12 hours of admission (pre-intervention) and 72 hours after admission (post-intervention). The mean level of depression after the intervention (day three) was in the test group 3.2 and in the control group 8.2. Mann-Whitney test results showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the level of depression post intervention in two group. Results of the study showed that early mobilization was effective to reduce patients depression, therefore the use of this approach is suggested in the treatment and care program of patients with acute myocardial infarction