Assessing the Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions on Mental Health in Tracheostomy Patients

Effect of CBT on mental health in tracheostomy patients

Background: Tracheostomy patients commonly develop anxiety and depression. This study investigates the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions in improving mental health and quality of life (QOL) in tracheostomy patients. The focus is on assessing the effectiveness of structured psychological support as part of holistic tracheostomy recovery protocols.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq, in the second half of 2022, we included 100 tracheostomy patients. The sampling method was convenience sampling, and the study population comprised tracheostomy patients referred for treatment. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: an intervention group receiving tracheostomy education and cognitive-behavioral training (n = 50) and a control group receiving conventional care (n = 50). We used the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to measure anxiety and depression, and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) to assess QOL. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test.

Results: This study showed significant improvements in anxiety and depression among tracheostomy patients receiving cognitive-behavioral interventions. Anxiety scores in the intervention group decreased from 23.66 ± 14.73 to 14.44 ± 10.36, while the control group saw negligible change. Depression scores similarly improved in the intervention group, dropping from 16.82 ± 9.31 to 12.30 ± 8.10, with the control group remaining stable. QOL, measured via the SF-36, also improved, with notable increases in physical health and mental health scores for the intervention group, affirming the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral approach in enhancing mental health outcomes for tracheostomy patients.

Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) coupled with tracheostomy self-care education demonstrated meaningful improvements in mental health and QOL compared to conventional care over a 6-month follow-up. These findings support integrating structured psychosocial guidance within holistic post-tracheostomy recovery protocols.