THE EFFECT OF COMMUNICATION BOARD ON PATIENT'S ANXIETY IN CONCIOUS PATIENTS UNDER MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Mechanical ventilation devices are widely used to treat patients who are in critical conditions. Although the use of mechanical ventilation devices has unique advantages for the patient، but on the other hand، it creates a variety of problems، including the inability to verbal communication and anxiety. This study intends to investigate the impact of using communication boards to reduce the anxiety of conscious patients undergoing mechanical ventilation hospitalized in the intensive care unit. In this Quasi-experimental Study، 30 conscious patients undergoing mechanical ventilation hospitalized in the intensive care unit were enrolled consecutively، and they were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The control group (15 patients) was using routine methods for communication while in the intervention group (15 patients)، the communication board was given to patients to communicate. Completing Sigmund Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire was performed 24، and 72 hours after intubation for both groups. Significance level of statistical tests was considered 5%. The case study of two groups was homogenous in terms of age and sex. Statistical analysis of anxiety scores showed that after the intervention there were significant differences between intervention and control groups (p=0/003). Statistical results showed that anxiety decreased in both groups over time، but it decreased significantly in the intervention group than the control group (p=0/000). The use of a communication board in conscious patients undergoing mechanical ventilation can reduce anxiety.