Effect of Psycho-Educational Program on Psychological Distress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Stroke Survivors' Patients

Abstract

Context: A stroke is a brain attack, and a major global health problem not merely affects a person physically but also emotionally. Psychosocial well-being is frequently threatened following a stroke. The improvement of the psychological status of stroke patients is essential to stroke management and recovery.

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the psychoeducational program on psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder among stroke survivors' patients.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study design (one group pre/posttest) was utilized to achieve the aim of the study in the neurology department at Benha University Hospital at Benha City, Kaluobia Governorate. A convenient sample of 40 stroke survivor's patients was included in the study as a single study group. Three tools were utilized for data collection, structured interview questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety, and Depression Scale, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale.

Results:  Reveals that there was a highly statistically significant reduction in the severity of total anxiety and depression and also total posttraumatic stress disorder post-program implementation than before. Also, there was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between total posttraumatic stress, total anxiety, and total depression among studied patients pre and post-program implementation at p-value <0.001.

Conclusion:  Psycho-educational program had a positive effect on reducing psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder among stroke survivors' patients. The study recommended that psychological nursing intervention should be continuously integrated as a part of routine nursing care provided for stroke survivors' patients in the neurology and rehabilitation unit.