Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training decreases anxiety levels in parents of infants with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Introduction: Fear of cardiac arrest among parents of infants with heart disease can cause stress and anxiety. Literature is scarce on the effects of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training (CPRt) on anxiety and stress of parents. We analysed the impact of CPRt on anxiety, stress, and comfort levels on parents of infants with heart disease.

Methods: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and choking relief manoeuvre (CRM) comfort level, Parental State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Parenting Stress Index (PSI) scores were prospectively collected pre-, immediately post-, and 3 months post-CPRt.

Results: There were 97 participants: 80% (n = 78) mothers/grandmothers and 20% (n = 19) fathers. The mean (SD) age of participants was 28.7 (5.6) years old. There was a significant decrease in STAI across the three time points collected; STAI decreased by 12% from baseline to immediately post-CPRt and 19% from baseline to 3 months post-CPRt (p < .0001). There were no significant changes in PSI across the time points. Baseline to immediately post-teaching, we found that CPRt significantly increased comfort performing CPR, CRM, and comfort in knowing what to do (p=< .001, p=< .001, p=< .001, respectively). Comfort levels persisted elevated when comparing pre- to 3 months post-CPRt (p=< .001, p= .002, p= .001, respectively), maintaining at least a 177% average increase up to 3 months post-CPRt for all aspects.

Conclusion: CPRt can aid in improving anxiety and comfort levels of parents of infants with heart disease around hospital discharge. Parental preparedness and reassurance to know what to do in emergency situations can be enhanced by a simple intervention such as CPRt.

Keywords: CHD; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; anxiety; children; parental; stress; teaching.