Evaluation of the effect of group counselling on post myocardial infarction patients: determined by an analysis of quality of life

Abstract

Aim and objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of group counselling program on quality of life in survivors of myocardial infarction.

Background: Myocardial infarction is one of the most dramatic illnesses that can afflict patients. Despite decreases in mortality from coronary heart disease in most developed countries, mortality is increasing in most eastern European countries and developing countries.

Design: A randomized-controlled trial design.

Methods: Sixty-two patients with myocardial infarction were chosen, case group, (31 patients), distributed in five subgroup (each subgroup conclude six or seven patients) and control group (31 patients). A group-counselling program was performed two days per week, each session last one hour. However, no counselling was performed for the control group. The quality of life score was estimated in both groups by the use of the MacNew Quality of Life after Myocardial Infarction questionnaire, before the group counselling program, and one month after the group counselling program, and the quality of life between both groups were compared. The data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: Results indicated that there was no significant difference between the mean quality of life score of case and control groups before group counselling program. While there was a significant difference (P = 0.001) between the mean of quality of life score after the group counselling in both groups. The mean of quality of life score, before and after group counselling program indicated a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the case group, while there was no significant difference in the control group. The statistical comparison of the mean of quality of life score in general and in each dimensions before and after group counselling program indicated that there was a significant difference between before and after group counselling in the case group whereas in the control group it has slightly decreased. Pearson's correlation coefficient test (P = 0.002) showed a significant correlation between the duration of myocardial infraction and the quality of life score. The effectiveness of the planned counselling program on quality of life was estimated 24.08 by growth test.

Conclusion: As indicated by the results of this study, group counselling program can promote patient's quality of life in all dimensions.

Relevance to clinical practice: There is a need for nurses and physicians to apply group counselling program in a wide variety of settings ranging from community to intensive care, as a simple and safe intervention to promote patient's quality of life.