ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the effects of the intervention of cognitive-behavioral group counseling for elderly hypertensive patients with anxiety symptoms.Methods:The Screen for Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) of higher scores ≥41 was used to screen out 80 elderly hypertensive patients with anxiety symptoms,who were randomly signed to the intervention group (n =40) and the control group (n =40).The intervention group was given cognitive-behavioral group counseling for 8 weeks,while the control group without any intervention.All participants were assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI),Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ),UCLA Loneliness Scale and Self-Esteem Scale (SES) at base line,8 weeks after the intervention and one month after the end of intervention.Results:Thirty-seven elderly hypertensive patients of the intervention group completed the 8-week sessions and 32 elderly hypertensive patients participated in the l-mouth follow-up.Thirty-nine participants of the control group completed the 8-week wait and post 8-week wait follow-up diagnostic tests.Compared to baseline,the patients had significant reduction in the scores at SAI and negative coping style after treatment (Ps ＜ 0.01),whereas the scores of those in the control group did not show any significant reduction (Ps ＞0.05).In the comparison of before-post difference between intervention and control group,the difference of SAI scores and negative coping style scores were higher inintervention group than in control group (Ps ＜ 0.05).The 1-month follow-up showed that the scores of SAIand negative coping style decrease continuously (Ps ＜ 0.01).Contusion:It suggests that cognitive-behavioral group counseling could reduce the level of anxiety in the elderly hypertensive patients.