The effects of informational intervention on state anxiety and satisfaction in patients undergoing bone scan

The aim of the study was to identify the most beneficial mode, in terms of anxiety reduction, of giving patients information prior to them undergoing a bone scan. (Research has identified the scan procedure as having a demonstrative effect on anxiety.) Additionally, satisfaction with the adequacy of the information was examined. On the day of the scan two experimental groups received either written or verbal information, the control group receiving no additional information (all had received the standard letter). All groups completed both the Spielberger's State Anxiety and a satisfaction questionnaire. Anxiety data were analysed by analysis of variance and the Duncan's test, whilst satisfaction was examined in terms of percentages. A significant difference at the 0.029 level was found in terms of anxiety reduction between both the experimental groups compared to the control group. No significant differences were found between the two experimental groups. Findings with regard to satisfaction with the adequacy of the information given showed that 78.6% of the subjects in the experimental group who received verbal information were satisfied compared to 71.4% in the group who received written information and 28.6% in the control group.