More people than ever need implanted devices like cardiac pacemakers and internal cardioverter defibrillators to support, replace, or maintain organ function. Currently there are nearly 25 million persons in the United States with implanted medical devices. While most patients adapt well to having a device, a subset of individuals experience psychological difficulties. No tool designed to measure adjustment to various implanted medical devices currently exists.
The implanted device adjustment scale (IDAS) has demonstrated strong reliability and validity in a pilot sample of 45 persons with pacemakers and implanted cardioverter defibrillators. The revised 22 item Likert-type IDAS was used with a new sample of 136 persons (35 women; mean age 70, range 35-88) with implanted devices (51 with pacemakers and 82 with cardioverter defibrillators). Subjects also completed scales measuring quality of life (SF-36), mood states (profile of mood states-POMS), and global adjustment visual analogue scale.
The IDAS was internally consistent (Cronbach alpha=.87). Exploratory factor analysis using Zeller's criteria supported 4 subscales: physical functioning, attitude, support/control, and body awareness. There was significant correlation (p<.05) between the total IDAS and the Mental Component Scale of the SF-36, global adjustment, and all subscales of the POMS. In conclusion, the IDAS demonstrated strong reliability and validity in this sample and may be useful for clinicians who wish to evaluate how well a person is adjusting to her/his device. Clinical use of the IDAS could lead to more timely and appropriate interventions that will improve outcomes.
Session #1188 - Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)