A Comparison Effectiveness of Teaching via Teach Back Method and Short Message Service on Stress of Mothers of Educable Mentally Retarded Children: A Field Clinical Trial

Abstract Background: Caring of mentally retarded children at home is a challenging event and negatively affects family mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of Teach back method and Short Message Service on stress of mothers of educable mentally retard children. Methods: In this field trial study, 105 mothers with educable mentally retarded children were selected through the convenience sampling method. The participants were assigned to the two intervention and control groups based on block randomization. The teach-back method intervention was developed for at least 8 sessions, and then the faculty members of the research team were asked to approve the content and materials of the intervention. Mothers in SMS group received four text messages each day, totally 180 messages within 1.5 months. The Abidin Short Form Parenting Stress Index were filled out by mothers the groups of interventions and control at baseline and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS21, by descriptive and inferential test, considering the 95% confidence interval. Results: shows that one month after the completion of education through teach-back and SMS, the level of stress decreased with a steep slope in the intervention 1, intervention 2 groups, while it had an upward trend in the control group which received no intervention one month after the completion of intervention.The level of stress in the intervention 1 group (88.6) and in intervention 2 group (86.09)were significantly more than the control group (135.23) (p<0.001). Conclusions: since a targeted nurse-client relationship is one of the main issues of nursing care, nurses can benefit from these educational methods to educate clients.