Effect of nursing intervention based on the environmental enrichment concept on depressive behavior in rats with ischemic stroke †

Objective To study the effect of nursing intervention based on the concept of environmental enrichment on depressive behavior in rats with ischemic stroke. Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 10) using a random number table: Shame surgery control group (Shame), ischemia-reperfusion group (1/R), and ischemia-reperfusion group + environmental enrichment intervention group (1/R + EEI). Behavioral tests were conducted to assess depressive behaviors, including the sucrose consumption test and the open field test (OFT), and comparison analysis was performed. Results Compared with the Shame group, rats in the 1/R exhibited significant depressive-like behaviors, such as reduced sucrose consumption and decreased activity in the OFT, presenting with obvious emotional depression and reduced activity. Compared to the 1/R, rats in the 1/R + EEI showed a significant reduction in depressive behavior, increased sucrose consumption, and improved activity in the OFT, with better emotional status and enhanced activity. Conclusions Environmental enrichment intervention can effectively alleviate depressive-like behavior in rats with ischemic stroke, likely through the enrichment of environmental stimuli to improve rats’ emotional and activity levels. This provides a new perspective and theoretical basis for the intervention of depressive symptoms in patients with ischemic stroke.