Effect of a structured psychological intervention on anxiety and depression symptoms in hospitalised patients following liver transplant on the general Ward.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients after liver transplantation and to evaluate the effects of a structured psychological intervention. METHODS: A total of 168 hospitalised patients who had undergone a liver transplant were enrolled after transfer from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the general ward, with stabilised vital signs. Anxiety and depressive symptoms and their influencing factors were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS). Sixty-eight patients with both anxiety and depressive symptoms were randomised into an intervention group (routine care +12-day structured psychological intervention: daily 30-min progressive muscle relaxation training and psychological support every 3 days) and a control group (routine care only). Outcomes were reassessed post-intervention. RESULTS: Detection rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 37.5% and 32.1%, respectively. Independent factors for anxiety symptoms included sex, age, postoperative complications and social support; for depression symptoms, the factors were age, social support, length of stay, family support and financial pressure. After intervention, the intervention group showed significant reductions in HADS anxiety (13.2 ± 2.8 → 6.1 ± 3.2) and HADS depression (12.5 ± 3.1 → 5.8 ± 3.4) symptoms and an increase in PSSS (55.3 ± 12.1 → 67.8 ± 9.4) (all p < 0.001); no significant changes occurred in the control group. Post-intervention scores were significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Anxiety and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent after liver transplantation and are associated with multiple factors. Structured psychological intervention significantly improves symptoms and perceived social support, supporting its integration into routine post-transplant nursing care.