The Effect of psychological intervention based on the mobile application on the anxiety level of cholecystectomy candidates

Abstract

Background and aims: This study aims to investigate the effect of psychological intervention based on the mobile application on the anxiety level of laparoscopic cholecystectomy candidates. Methods: This semi-experimental was conducted on 60 laparoscopic cholecystectomy candidates in 2022 in Shahrekord. The participants were randomly divided into control and test groups using the block randomization method. The test group received a psychological intervention based on a mobile application installed on their mobile phones and used for two months. The control group received usual hospital care only. Data were collected before, immediately after, and two months after the intervention using the Spielberger Anxiety Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, independent t-test) were used to analyze the data in SPSS 24 software. Results: Before the intervention, the average scores for state anxiety in the test and control groups were 45.97±11.71 and 46.00±11.10, respectively. The average scores for trait anxiety were 43.60±10.24 and 44.37±10.55 in the test and control groups, respectively. There were no significant statistical differences between the groups regarding state anxiety (P=0.99) and trait anxiety (P=0.78). However, immediately after the intervention, the test group showed significantly lower scores for state anxiety (P=0.01) and trait anxiety (P=0.04). Additionally, two months after the intervention, there was a significant difference in the average scores for state anxiety (P=0.03) and trait anxiety (P=0.02) between the two groups. Conclusion: Psychological intervention based on a mobile application can be an efficient and cost-effective way to manage anxiety in cholecystectomy candidates.