Blinding was strictly observed for the data collection phase in this
study. Except for the group of interventionists, the rest of the investigators
were kept blind to the group assignment of the participants. The investigators
who obtained the baseline and the outcome measures were
not informed of the participant's group assignments. The nurse–
interventionists were only allowed to see the experimental group participants
during the entire period of study. No ward nurses were made
members of the study team and they were not informed of any patient's
allocation. Likewise, efforts were made to keep the conduct of the study
private and concealed to the regular care staff. Lastly, the interventionist
took no part in the collection of the baseline and outcome measures.