The effect of Orientation technique on vital sign and anxiety level of patients undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is stressful for the patient. to determine the influence of Orientation technique on anxiety levels and pulse rate in patients before ERCP in Talaghni hospital in 2011. This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial which carried out on 70 subjects with gastrointestinal disorders hospitalized in Taleghani Hospital، Tehran، who were randomly allocated in two groups (35 experimental and 35 control group). The subjects in the experimental group were received orientation technique while control group were only received routine care in their ward. The anxiety level and vital sign was measured in both groups and analyzed with SPSS Version 13 using inferential statistics. There was no difference between two groups in terms of demographics variables based on Chi square test. Before applying Orientation technique، there was no significant difference in the average score of situational anxiety and vital sign (BP and P) scores of the subjects in the experimental and control group (P<0. 05). However، after applying Orientation technique، a significant difference was seen in the situational anxiety average score and pulse rate of the subjects in two groups (P<0. 05). Use of Orientation technique was useful in decreasing the anxiety level of patients undergoing ERCP. It is therefore recommended that Orientation technique to be used by health professionals as a non therapeutic and cost-effective intervention before performing medical procedures like ERCP.