The efficacy of progressive counting method on emotional symptoms in patients with coronary artery bypass surgery

Former studies have demonstrated that coronary artery disease is a major cause of death and in Iran is the top cause of death and causes 45 percent of fatalities. After coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) patients face psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Progressive counting method is an effectiveness method in providing mental exposure and desensitize traumatic memories to lower anxiety and enhance a sense of mastery over spontaneous memories. But there is lack of research on the progressive counting method in Iran.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PC method on emotional symptoms (depression, anxiety & stress), which exist in CABG patients according to the literature.

In this quasi-experimental research, we used a pre-test-post-test design. Patients included those who were referred to the Rehabilitation Clinic of Tehran Heart Center within a 4 to 6-week period after coronary artery bypass surgery. Among them, 24 patients were selected. Having consented to participate in the study, all 24 participants were randomly placed in intervention and control groups. DASS-21 and IES-R were used for measurement. Assessments were performed in three stages pre-test, post-test, & follow-up in both groups.

Progressive counting method significantly reduced anxiety & stress symptoms in the intervention group (α=0.05). This method did not make a significant difference in the rate of depression. The amount of depression during the follow-up period is largely determined by these values during the pre-test period (α=0.05).

Progressive counting method probably influences the perception of the impacts of the trauma on the life of the individual and treats the implications of the trauma on the patient's life and decreases the probability of re-traumatization. It is recommended to study with more samples.