The effect of a peer support intervention on early recovery outcomes in men recovering from coronary bypass surgery: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Examine the effect of a professionally-guided telephone peer support intervention on recovery outcomes including depression, perceived social support, and health services utilization after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery men ( N=185) who were randomized before hospital discharge. The intervention arm received telephone-based peer support through weekly telephone calls from a peer volunteer over six weeks, initiated within 3-4 days of discharge. RESULTS: Although a significant difference was detected in pre-intervention depression scores at discharge, there were no differences between groups in changes in depression scores at six weeks ( p=0.08), 12 weeks (0.49) or over time ( p=0.51); and no significant differences in perceived social support scores over time ( p=0.94). At 12 weeks, the intervention group had significantly lower incidence of health services utilization (family physician ( p=0.02) and emergency room ( p=0.04)). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers need to continue to investigate novel interventions to enhance social support and reduce depression in cardiac patients.