Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of feedforward control nursing model combined with token-based health education on compliance and negative emotions in children undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods A total of 225 children who underwent cardiac surgery in Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from May 2021 to September 2023 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to the combination group (n=78), the token group (n=72) and the control group (n=75). The control group received general nursing and health education. The token group received general nursing and token-based health education. The combination group received feedforward control nursing model combined with token-based health education. All groups were given intervention till discharge and followed up for 6 months. Comparison among the three groups was made on compliance with treatment, negative emotions, cognitive level, adverse events, and quality of life. Results After intervention, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale score of the combination group was higher than that in the token group (P=0.014) and the control group (P＜0.001), and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) score was lower than that in the token group (P=0.028) and the control group (P＜0.001). The self-designed awareness of heart disease questionnaire total score of the combination group was higher than that in the token group and the control group (P＜0.001). There was no significant difference in incidence rates of adverse events among three groups (P＞0.05). The quality-of-life scale for children score of the combination group was higher than those of the token group and the control group (P＜0.001). Conclusion Feedforward control nursing model combined with token-based health education can significantly improve the compliance of children undergoing cardiac surgery, alleviate depression, enhance their awareness of disease, and improve the quality of life.