Efficacy of an Emotion Regulation Training in Enhancing Resilience Among Patients With Congestive Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background and Aims Congestive heart failure is often associated with diminished resilience in patients, leading to adverse mental health outcomes. This study aimed to explore the impact of an emotion regulation program on the resilience of individuals coping with congestive heart failure. Methods This randomized clinical trial involved 70 hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure at Shahid Chamran Medical Center in Isfahan. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 35). The intervention group underwent a six-session emotion regulation program, with each session lasting 45-60 min. Data collection involved the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, administered at three stages: preintervention, immediately postintervention, and 1 month postintervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, employing chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA (significance level: p < 0.05). Results The mean resilience scores for the intervention group were 37.33 +/- 17.25 preintervention, 92.17 +/- 3.88 immediately postintervention, and 87.26 +/- 3.33 1 month postintervention, indicating a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Conversely, the control group's mean resilience scores during the same periods were 37.77 +/- 25.58, 19.34 +/- 13.22, and 31.80 +/- 19.98, showing nonsignificant differences (p > 0.05). Additionally, comparisons of mean resilience scores between the intervention and control groups immediately and 1 month postintervention revealed significant differences (p < 0.05). Conclusion The findings underscore the effectiveness of the emotion regulation program in enhancing resilience among patients with congestive heart failure. It is recommended that healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, incorporate this intervention into their patient care practices to foster resilience in individuals managing congestive heart failure.