The effect of psychosocial nursing intervention on the mood state of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and their caregivers

Abstract

This study sought to determine whether mood state and psychosocial adjustment four months after implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement were better for patients and caregivers who received a program of psychosocial interventions than for those who received usual postoperative care and follow-up. Thirty-four adult ICD recipients (17 experimental and 17 control) and their significant other (SO) caregivers were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The intervention consisted of weekly, postoperative telephone follow-up, evaluation and counseling by a psychiatric liaison nurse, and participation in an ICD support group. There were no significant differences between treatment and control groups on the outcome measures of adjustment (Profile of Mood States, Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale). Outcomes were not associated with age, ejection fraction, length of hospital stay or family income, and there were no differences in outcomes based on gender, employment status, thoracotomy versus non-thoracotomy procedure, or shocked versus unshocked status. The results do not indicate that the extra time spent to provide individualized attention to these ICD recipients and their SOs was advantageous for the outcomes measured. Adaptation to the device may occur over time regardless of intervention.