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Measurement of Patient Fears About Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Shock: An Initial Evaluation of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale
Author(s) -
KUHL EMILY A.,
DIXIT NEHA K.,
WALKER ROBYN L.,
CONTI JAMIE B.,
SEARS SAMUEL F.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2006.00408.x
Subject(s) - medicine , shock (circulatory) , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , anxiety , scale (ratio) , cardiology , medical emergency , psychiatry , cartography , geography
Background:Psychological distress is both a precipitant and a consequence of ICD shock. Therefore, the assessment of patient anxiety and concerns related to receiving an ICD shock may prompt appropriate psychological referrals and treatment.Methods:The purpose of this study is to assess the initial validity and clinical utility of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale (FSAS). Seventy‐two ICD recipients completed the FSAS.Results:Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two‐factor structure with items loading such that Factor 1 could be conceptualized as a Consequence Factor (e.g., fearing creating a scene if the device were to fire) and Factor 2 as a Trigger Factor (e.g., fearing sexual activity). Alpha coefficients suggest good reliability (Cronbach's α= 0.91, split‐half = 0.92), and FSAS Total Score was moderately correlated ( r =−0.65) with total score on the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale.Conclusions:Two subscales, labeled consequence of shock and trigger of shock, were established via factor analysis. Collectively the FSAS demonstrates potential utility to assess shock distress and warrants additional investigation.