The effect of a companion nurse presence program on anxiety and physiological indicators in patients awaiting angiography in the waiting room: A randomized clinical trial

Background. Cardiac catheterization is a widely used diagnostic and interventional hemodynamic procedure. Patients undergoing this procedure often experience severe anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a companion nurse presence program on anxiety and physiological indicators in patients awaiting angiography in the waiting room. Methods. This two-group randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 angiography patients admitted to Razi Hospital in Birjand. Data were collected using a sociodemographic checklist, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and a checklist for physiological indicators (blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate). The companion nurse presence program was implemented individually for the intervention group in the waiting room. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Independent and paired t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Wilcoxon tests were used for between-group and within-group comparisons. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline variables and age. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Results indicated demographic similarity between the study groups. ANCOVA confirmed the significant effectiveness of the companion nurse presence program in reducing anxiety and improving all physiological indicators post-intervention, even after controlling for baseline scores and age. Conclusion. Based on these findings, the companion nurse presence program can effectively reduce anxiety and physiological indicators in patients awaiting angiography. Practical Implications. Our findings suggest that the presence of a nurse in the waiting room not only lessens anxiety but also prevents increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, thereby offering an effective simple non-pharmacological intervention.