Effect of Structured Nurse-Led Therapeutic Communication on Anxiety in Adult ICU Patients
Advisor(s)
Zachariah Shumaker
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 11:50 AM
Abstract
Problem:
Anxiety is highly prevalent among adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with negative physiological and psychological outcomes. Current management often prioritizes pharmacological interventions, while structured non-pharmacological interventions are inconsistently implemented. Because nurses have continuous contact with ICU patients, structured nurse-led therapeutic communication and frequent reorientation may serve as a practical non-pharmacological intervention to help reduce patient anxiety.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured nurse-led therapeutic communication and reorientation protocol on anxiety levels in adult ICU patients compared to standard care.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design will be used in a 20-bed medical ICU. Sixteen adult patients are assigned to either an intervention group receiving structured therapeutic communication or a control group receiving standard care. Anxiety is measured using the State Anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at baseline and 48 hours post-intervention.
Conclusion:
Structured nurse-led therapeutic communication may provide a low-cost, minimally invasive strategy to reduce anxiety in critically ill patients. Research supports the use of intentional therapeutic communication to improve patient outcomes in the ICU.
Recommended Citation
Allmon, Kylie, "Effect of Structured Nurse-Led Therapeutic Communication on Anxiety in Adult ICU Patients" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 35.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/35
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Effect of Structured Nurse-Led Therapeutic Communication on Anxiety in Adult ICU Patients
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Problem:
Anxiety is highly prevalent among adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with negative physiological and psychological outcomes. Current management often prioritizes pharmacological interventions, while structured non-pharmacological interventions are inconsistently implemented. Because nurses have continuous contact with ICU patients, structured nurse-led therapeutic communication and frequent reorientation may serve as a practical non-pharmacological intervention to help reduce patient anxiety.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured nurse-led therapeutic communication and reorientation protocol on anxiety levels in adult ICU patients compared to standard care.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design will be used in a 20-bed medical ICU. Sixteen adult patients are assigned to either an intervention group receiving structured therapeutic communication or a control group receiving standard care. Anxiety is measured using the State Anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at baseline and 48 hours post-intervention.
Conclusion:
Structured nurse-led therapeutic communication may provide a low-cost, minimally invasive strategy to reduce anxiety in critically ill patients. Research supports the use of intentional therapeutic communication to improve patient outcomes in the ICU.