Effect of face-to-face training and pamphlets in reducing anxiety in 7-25 years old clients referred to echocardiography

Introduction: Echocardiography is a diagnostic test in that ultrasound waves are used for producing images of the heart muscle and valves. Echocardiography provides a series of useful information about the heart and its function for treatment purpose. It is especially useful for assessing valvular heart disease. Although it has no known side effect, but similar to any other medical procedure, it is associated with stress and discomfort. Hence, trusting and eliminating patients' stress should be started from the first moment. This study review beneficial effects, method, and possible side effects of echocardiography and assess the effect of face-to-face training and pamphlets in reducing anxiety. Methods: In this clinical trial, 7-25 year children referring echocardiography center of Hajar hospital in Shahrekord was selected by convinced sampling. 90 selected subjects randomly allocated into three groups of 30 subjects (one control group and two groups) groups. Pamphlets and booklets about echocardiography and face-to-face education by a physician for 15 minutes were presented to two groups. Spielbergers anxiety questionnaire were filled before and after training. Data analysis was done by SPSS software using chi square tests, ANOVA and paired t test. Results: Obvious Anxiety prior to echocardiography, in the trained group by Pamphlets was 47/9±9/6, in the trained group by face-to-face education 48/2±11/5, And in control group 46/5±31/1 respectively. In spite of decreasing obvious and hidden anxiety after echocardiography (P<0/05), there was no significant difference in obvious and hidden anxiety levels after training among the three groups (P>0/05). Discussion: In all groups, obvious anxiety after echocardiography was significantly less than anxiety before echocardiography. Although hidden anxiety after echocardiography decreased in control group and trained group by face-to-face education, but it has not changed in the trained group by Pamphlets. anyway in the three groups was not significantly different.