Effect of Three Educational Methods on Anxiety and Hemodynamics of Candidates for Exercise Stress Test: A Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Exercise stress test (EST) is commonly performed to diagnose cardiovascular diseases. Patients undergoing EST usually experience anxiety and stress mainly because they lack knowledge about the test. Objectives: The present double-blinded randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of education via face-to-face, interactive multimedia, and short messaging service (SMS) methods on anxiety level (main outcome) and vital signs (secondary outcomes) in candidates for EST. Methods: Candidates of EST with moderate to severe anxiety were allocated randomly (block size of 6) to receive education via the face-to-face routine method (control, n = 47), multimedia (n = 48), or SMS (n = 49). The educational content was similar in the groups and focused on EST methods, preparations, and potential adverse effects. Anxiety was assessed at baseline and one week after education. The patients’ blood pressure and pulse rate were measured at baseline, before, and after the EST. Results: One-hundred-forty-four patients completed the study. The post-intervention anxiety reduced significantly in the SMS group compared to the control group (P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = -1.09) and in the SMS group compared to the multimedia group (P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = -0.83). The anxiety score was not significantly different between the multimedia and control groups (P = 0.454, Cohen’s d = -0.26), although within-group comparison showed a significant decrease in the multimedia and SMS groups. Patients who received education via SMS also experienced lower pulse rates than those in the control group. Conclusions: Because of the effectiveness of education via SMS in decreasing patients’ anxiety scores, we recommend using this method to prevent anxiety before EST, especially in developing and low-income countries.