Matching intra-procedural information with coping style reduces psychophysiological arousal in women undergoing colposcopy

J Behav Med. 2013 Aug;36(4):401-12. doi: 10.1007/s10865-012-9435-z. Epub 2012 Jun 24.

Abstract

This study assessed the combined effects of coping style and intra-procedural information on indices of distress (physiological measures, observed distress, self-report measures of anxiety and affect) among a group of patients undergoing colposcopy. High and low monitors were exposed to one of three interventions: high information (live video feed of colposcopy); low information (complete audiovisual distraction); and control. Results revealed a 2 (monitoring style) × 3 (information level) × 2 (time) interaction for systolic blood pressure (SBP), F(2, 111) = 3.55, p = .032. Among low monitors, patients in the low-information group exhibited significant SBP reductions during colposcopy, while those in the high-information group exhibited SBP increases. Among high monitors, patients in the high-information and control groups exhibited SBP reductions. Further, significant differences in observed signs of distress were found between groups with high monitors in the low-information group faring best overall, F(2, 111) = 4.41, p = .014. These findings indicate that tailoring information to suit individual coping style may maximize the apparent efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing stress during medical examinations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological / classification*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Arousal / physiology*
  • Colposcopy / psychology*
  • Consumer Health Information / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Young Adult