PTSD and cardiac surgery : a randomised, controlled pilot study to assess the effect of a brief psychoeducational intervention : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
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2014
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Massey University
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Abstract
Cardiac surgery can be traumatic and stressful, and as a result many people
experience psychological difficulties following treatment. Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD) is now being investigated in post-surgical populations
with surprising results. Prevalence rates for PTSD following cardiac surgery
range from 10% to 38%. Current knowledge regarding PTSD in post-surgical
populations is limited, and many studies are concerned with risk factors and
prevalence rates, and have not investigated the effects of psychological
interventions. Thus, the magnitude of improvement in long-term outcomes
resulting from the use of preventative interventions is unclear. With this in
mind, the current study was created to investigate the effect of a brief
psychoeducational intervention to prevent the symptoms of PTSD, and
improve the adaptive coping behaviours of people who have survived cardiac
surgery. This research question was addressed as a pilot study and utilised a
randomised, controlled design that enlisted 33 participants awaiting cardiac
surgery at a single site. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated
by comparing it to the standard treatment patients are currently offered upon
admission to the cardiac ward. Standardised self-report measures were
collected during baseline, treatment and once at two-week follow-up. Results
showed that, compared to pre-treatment levels, the majority of participants
who received the intervention demonstrated a reduction in PTSD symptoms
and an increase in adaptive coping behaviours related to recovery after
cardiac surgery. Findings are interpreted in terms of previous literature and
implications are discussed according to theory, research and clinical practice.
Limitations of the study are outlined and recommendations for future research
are discussed. Suggestions for future research include evaluating the
effectiveness of the manual in a larger, more diverse group of people,
extending follow-up periods and utilising more rigorous measures. Overall,
preliminary findings support the effectiveness of the Coping After Cardiac
Surgery Manual in treating people who have undergone cardiac surgery.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder, Heart surgery, Cardiac surgery, Psychological aspects, Mental health education, Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Psychology::Applied psychology, PTSD