Effect of a Nursing Program on Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia in Patients After Liver Transplantation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The incidence of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances is high among patients after liver transplantation, significantly impacting their quality of life. However, existing nursing programs often lack a comprehensive focus on psychological and physical health outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted nursing program in reducing anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances among liver transplantation patients through psychological care, lifestyle guidance, pain management, and rehabilitation training. MATERIAL AND METHODS A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 liver transplantation patients at Beijing Youan Hospital (2021-2023). Patients were randomly assigned to the control group (traditional nursing, n=40) or the intervention group (targeted nursing, n=40). The intervention included psychological care, lifestyle guidance, pain management, and rehabilitation training. Anxiety, depression, and sleep quality were assessed using the SDS, HAMA, and PSQI at 4 time points: 0-60, 61-120, 121-180, and 181-360 days after surgery. RESULTS The incidence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia at 0-60, 61-120, 121-180, and 181-360 days after liver transplantation was 42.50%, 37.50%, 35.00%, and 30.00%; 14.50%, 9.40%, 3.20%, and 1.20%; and 15.80%, 12.10%, 7.30%, and 6.50%, respectively. After the care program, the depression, anxiety, and sleep scores were lower in the intervention group than in the control group and gradually decreased over time (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The nursing program after liver transplantation includes postoperative psychology, pain care, life strategies, and rehabilitation training, which can effectively reduce the depression, anxiety, and sleep scores of patients and is recommended for wide use.