Effectiveness of Nursing Interventions on Stress and Functional Capacity Among Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) frequently experience psychological stress and reduced functional capacity during the postoperative period. This randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on stress and functional capacity in post-CABG patients. METHODS: A prospective parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India. Two hundred adult CABG patients were randomized to receive either nurse-led interventions (educational booklet, visual CD, and face-to-face counseling) or routine postoperative care. Stress was assessed using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) stress subscale, and functional capacity using the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and metabolic equivalents (METs). Assessments were performed at baseline, one week, one month, and three months. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, effect sizes, and linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Baseline stress and functional scores were comparable between the two groups. At one week, one month, and three months, patients in the intervention group demonstrated significantly lower stress, depression, and anxiety scores than those in the control group (p ≤ 0.001). However, at three months, the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater functional capacity than the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The nurse-led interventions significantly improved psychological outcomes and functional recovery during the postoperative period in the post-CABG patients.