Abstract

Aim.The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of white noise on the anxiety of patients in the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU).

Background. Many patients with cardiovascular disease suffer from some degree of anxiety after admission to CCU. Anxiety adversely affects patients' recovery.

Method.This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in ShaheedRajaei Cardiovascular Center, Tehran in 2014. Ninety patients admittedto the cardiac care unit were recruited in the study based on convenience sampling and divided into experimental and control group (45 patients in each group). Anxiety was measured in both groups for 2 consecutive days by DASS-21 questionnaire. In the experimental group, white noise with an intensity of 50 to 60 decibels was played for 30 minutes. Data were analyzed by SPSS , version 17, using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square test.

Findings. In control group, the difference between mean scores of anxiety, before and after intervention was not statistically significant (5.17±3.90 and 4.73±3.77, respectively p=0.08). In the experimental group, the difference between mean scores of anxiety, before and after intervention was statistically significant (5.38±3.87 and 4.58±3.71, respectively p=0.01). 

Conclusion.The white noise can reduce the anxiety of patients admitted to CCU. This method can be used as a simple and low-cost non-pharmacological intervention for these patients.