Post-operative Pain  Psycho Therapies

Guided imagery  to reduce post-operative anxiety & pain

American researchers based at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in America have found that guided imagery can be an extremely effective tool to reduce fear, anxiety and pain following surgery. 

One hundred and thirty patients undergoing elective colorectal surgical procedures were randomly assigned to one of two groups; group one received standard peri-operative care and group two listened to guided imagery audio cassette tapes for three days prior to surgery, during anaesthesia induction, intra-operatively, in post anaesthesia care , and for six days following the surgical procedure. 

All of the patients had their anxiety levels, pain perception and medication requirements monitored during the period of the study. 

The results showed that the patients in the guided imagery group had far less preoperative and postoperative anxiety and pain, and that they required nearly 50 per cent less narcotic medication following the surgery.

The report concluded that guided imagery is a simple, low cost, effective tool to help reduce anxiety in surgical patients.

Tusek D et al. Guided imagery as a coping strategy for perioperative patients. A.O.R.N. J 66(4) Oct. 1997. 644-9

This page was last updated on 07 July 2000 10:05:04