An Evidence-Based Nursing Intervention Decreases Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Quality and Somatic Symptoms of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of evidence-based nursing (EBN) intervention on anxiety, depression, sleep quality and somatic symptoms of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: The eligible AIS patients were randomized into the intervention group and control group in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in both groups received routine nursing care. On the basis of routine nursing, patients in the intervention group also received EBN. Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) were used to assess patients' anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and somatic symptoms at baseline (T0) and 6 months after intervention (T1), respectively. Results: There was no difference in SAS, SDS, PSQI, and PHQ-15 scores at T0 between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). Comparing to the control group, the intervention group had significantly lower SAS and SDS scores at T1 (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, respectively). The SAS and SDS score changes (T1-T0) were more evident in the intervention group than in the control group (all P < 0.001). No difference of PSQI or PHQ-15 score between the 2 groups was observed at T1. However, the PSQI and PHQ-15 score changes were more evident in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.044 and P = 0.007, respectively). Conclusion: EBN invention significantly improved anxiety, depression, sleep quality and somatic symptoms of patients with AIS.