Effect of nursing supportive care on state anxiety of patients receiving ECT: A controlled Randomized clinical trial

Introduction: high prevalence of mental disorders and effectiveness of ECT as a curative method makes it a beneficial tool which is highly considered however patients undergoing this method usually experience severe anxiety which can develop negative consequences. About the factors affecting this anxiety such as nursing supportive care during ECT there is not much evidence. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of nursing supportive care during ECT on state anxiety of patients receiving this procedure. Method: This is clinical trial which was done in zahedan (Iran). 70 in patient undergoing ECT. randomly assigned to control (n=35) and intervention group (n=35). Subjects provided responses to Demographic and Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory. Supportive care was provided through trained nurses to intervention group and control group received routine care only. State anxiety was assessed before and after intervention in both groups. Data analyzed using SPSS software. Chi-square test, independent and paired t test was used. Results: Results showed that mean difference of state anxiety in intervention group decreased significantly in comparison with control group. Conclusion: This study shows the positive effect of nursing supportive care on state anxiety of patients receiving ECT, so it is recommended to reduce state anxiety in patients undergoing ECT.