Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training improved perceived control in spouses of patients recovering from an acute cardiac event
QUESTION: Can training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increase perceived control in spouses of patients recovering from an acute cardiac event?
Design
Randomised (unclear allocation concealment), unblinded, controlled trial with follow up 1 month after intervention.
Setting
A university medical centre and 4 community hospitals in Southern California, USA.
Participants
219 spouses or significant others who were ≥18 years of age, able to read and write English, and living with a partner who had had an acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in the previous 12 months. Exclusion criteria were serious medical conditions in either the patient (other than cardiac disease) or spouse, mental incompetence, or history of mental illness. 89% of spouses (mean age 59 y, 83% women, 91% white) completed the follow up.
Intervention
Spouses were allocated to CPR plus social support (n=68), CPR plus risk factor education (n=67), …
