Effect of peer education on anxiety in patients candidated for coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized control trial

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death worldwide. Despite pharmaceutical therapies، coronary artery bypass graft surgery continues to be the first and best treatment strategy. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of peer education on anxiety in patients candidated for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

In this randomized control trial study، 60 patients who were candidate for coronary artery bypass graft surgery in Shariati and Imam Khomeini hospitals in Tehran were recruited using the convenience sampling method. The patients were assigned randomly into two control and intervention groups. Patients’ anxieties in all patients were measured using the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory in the admission day، five days and four weeks after surgery. The control group received routine education and the intervention group was trained by their peer. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data.

Anxiety scores in both groups were not different in the admission day (p=0. 8). Also differences in mean anxiety scores between the groups before surgery، five days and four weeks after surgery were statistically significant (p<0. 001).

Peer education to patients who are candidate for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery can reduce anxiety. Therefore، it is recommended that، this educational approach used in the cardiac surgeries ward.