The Effect of Education Given to the Caregivers of Patients with Stroke on Anxiety and Depression: An Example from Eastern Turkey

Background: As one of the chronic conditions, stroke brings about important problems for the individual, their family and the society. Aim: This research was made in order to determine the effect of training given to stroke patient caregivers on their anxiety and depression levels. Methods: This experimental research with pretest-posttest control group was conducted in Neurology Clinic between July 2011 and July 2012. The experiment group of the research consisted of 31 stroke patient lying for the first time in the clinic and control group consisted of 33 stroke patients who lied in the clinic before and also care givers. The pretest data was collected by the patient and care giver introduction form prepared by the researchers starting from the week the patient was accepted to the clinic, Barthel Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Posttest data was collected by using all scales after discharge of patient (except introduction form). In the evaluation of the data percentage, average, chi-square was used and also t test was used in independent groups. Results: According to research results a significant difference could not be found between anxiety and depression points of experiment and control groups before training (p>0.05). In the evaluation made after the training it was determined that the anxiety and depression points of the caregivers decreased and the decreases were significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: As a result it was determined that the training given to care givers in the experiment group decreased their anxiety and depression levels. We can recommend that nurses participate in educations on the care of patients with stroke, provide education to caregivers and arrange workshops to increase their awareness on this issue.