| pubmed-article:9483021 | pubmed:abstractText | The objectives of this study were to determine whether vicarious experiences, in which expatients exemplify the active lives they are leading, can strengthen the belief in the restorability of cardiac functions. An experimental research design was used to evaluate an intervention designed to link volunteers who have successfully recovered from cardiac surgery in dyadic support with those individuals about to undergo similar surgery, by means of visits during the hospitalisation and recovery period. The intervention was intended to reduce anxiety and increase self-efficacy and activity performance. Through a randomised trial, 55 bypass surgery patients, aged 40-69 years, were allocated to either the experimental intervention (n = 27) or usual care (n = 28). The anxiety level was measured with the SPIELBERGER, GORSUCH and LUSHENE (1970) scale; self-efficacy and activity performance were measured with JENKIN's scales (1989). Data analysis with independent t tests revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences between groups in the anxiety level at 24 hours before surgery, and at 5 days and 4 weeks after surgery. Only the experimental group showed a significant (p < 0.02) decrease in anxiety during hospitalisation. Repeated analysis of variance showed significant (p < 0.05) differences between groups in perceived self-efficacy and performance of activities at 5 days and at 4 weeks after surgery. These results indicate that dyadic social support that volunteers offer cardiac surgery patients seems to be effective in helping the latter deal with cardiac events. Implications and recommendations for nursing practice and research were generated. | lld:pubmed |
