RESUMEN
Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) complications cause patients to experience a great deal of concerns and challenges that have adverse effects on their mental health. This study aimed to assess the effect of an empowerment program on life orientation and optimism in CAD patients. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 84 CAD patients admitted to post-CCU wards of Tehran Heart Center during 2018-2019 Patients were allocated to intervention and control groups by block randomization method based on inclusion criteria. Demographic and disease characteristics, and optimism and Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) questionnaires were completed before and eight weeks after intervention. In the intervention group, an empowerment program was implemented. Data were analyzed by independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-square test. Results: The results showed that the mean of patients' age in the intervention and control group was Mean [Standard Deviation (SD)] 54.59 (7.93) and 55.92 (7.81) years, respectively. Most patients in both intervention (61.90%) and control (66.70%) groups were male. The majority of patients in the intervention group (92.90%) and the control group (95.20%) were married. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics and disease history before the intervention (p > 0.05). After the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the life orientation and optimism scores between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: By stimulating self-awareness, providing knowledge and encouraging patients to control, and manage their disease, the empowerment program changes patients' view of their disease, and increases their optimism and positive life orientation.
RESUMEN
This study was conducted to assess the effect of an empowerment program on the perceived risk and physical health of patients with coronary artery disease. This randomized clinical trial recruited 84 patients with coronary artery disease admitted to post-cardiac care unit (CCU) wards in Tehran Heart Center in 2017. The study subjects were selected and assessed according to inclusion criteria and assigned to intervention and control groups by block randomization. Both groups completed questionnaires for demographic details and disease history, perceived risk in cardiac patients, and physical health. The Magic Empowerment Program was performed for the intervention group as 3 workshops on 3 successive days. Intervention continued after patients' discharge from the hospital through phone calls once a week for 8 weeks. The perceived risk in cardiac patients and physical health questionnaires were completed for both groups. Postintervention results showed significant differences between the 2 groups in total score of perceived risk (P = .001) and its subscales. The Empowerment Program changed patients' attitudes toward risk-motivating behavior change and improving physical health.