Communication-related and emotional responses of intubated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective：To examine the communication-related and emotional responses of intubated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD）.Methods：Patients（n=48） were divided into two groups：those intubated under 7 days（n=20），and those intubated above 7 days（n=28）.The response study had taken with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory，the Beck Depression Inventory， the Ease of Communication Scale and the Methods of Communication Checklist at the two points in time：after intubation for 24 hours， and after extubation for 2 hours.The information before treatment were ingathered for the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation and the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System.Results：Depression and anxiety existed in all patients，which of them were severest such as pessimism，self-image，tension，insecurity，fear and circumscribed，and related with communication difficulties（P＜0.01）and days of intubation（P＜0.05）.The patients used an average of 3 or 4communication methods while unable to speak.Conclusion：Negative emotions and communication difficulties presented in all intubated patients，and showed the relationship between them.The effective communication methods are discussed for future research.