The effect of a preoperative education program on the quality of life and the reduction of symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft surgery – a quasi-experimental study

Introduction:
Patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery tend to have persistent symptoms of anxiety and depression and low quality of life. Dedicated educational programs preparing patients for the operation can improve the quality of life and reduce the intensity of stress and anxiety. The study aims to assess the impact of the education program implemented in the preoperative period on quality of life and symptoms of depression and anxiety among coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients during the operation period in comparison to the control group.

Material and methods:
This study was designed as a quasi-experimental study. The study group comprised 189 patients (96 in the intervention group, 93 in the control group). The educational program was the independent variable in the study, while the dependent variables were quality of life, symptoms of depression, and anxiety. Data were collected before the intervention, CABG, and 3 months after the operation using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and the HADS.

Results:
In the preoperative period, the worst was the physical domain in the intervention and control groups (13 vs. 14, respectively). When the intervention program was implemented, the intervention group’s quality of life improved compared to the control group regarding the perception of health and physical health domain (p < 0.05). Before surgery, both groups showed mild anxiety (7.91 vs. 7.22), and no depressive symptoms were observed. The results of the intensity of anxiety and depression in both groups were significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively.

Conclusions:
The education program provided to CABG patients in the intervention group positively impacted QoL among these patients and reduced their anxiety. Structured preoperative education in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is one of the essential nursing interventions and a fundamental part of preoperative and postoperative patient care.