Effect of Digital Storytelling on Anxiety in Patients Who Are Candidates for Open-Heart Surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Open-heart surgery in persons with cardiovascular disease is associated with high levels of anxiety. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the effect of digital storytelling on anxiety in patients who were candidates for open-heart surgery. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 80 patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The intervention group received routine training and digital storytelling. In each group, anxiety was measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory anxiety scale before surgery and 5 days after surgery. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software V18. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the anxiety of both groups during the 2 days before the surgery (P = .40). After the surgery, the mean of anxiety scores in the intervention group was lower than that of the control group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Digital storytelling is an effective method to reduce anxiety in patients who are candidates for open-heart surgery.