Effects of Sensory Information on Preoperative Anxiety of Day-Case Surgery Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anxiety is described as an unpleasant state of uneasiness or tension that may adversely influence the quality of anesthesia and outcome of surgery. This study was designed to assess the effects of sensory information on preoperative anxiety of outpatients for day-case surgery. METHODS: One hundred healthy patients scheduled for elective day-case surgery were randomly assigned to one of two groups. A leaflet consisting of sensory information describing what they could expect to feel during anesthesia, surgery, and recovery time was provided by a trained nurse to the patients in information group (n = 50) in the preparation room before the operation. However, no information was provided to the patients in control group (n = 50). All patients were requested to complete the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory on the day before the operation in the clinic, and at the conclusion of the sensory information or standard interview in the preparation room before the induction of anesthesia. Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded during the observational period. RESULTS: Although no significant difference existed between the two groups on the pre and postintervention anxiety scores and vital signs, the question about feeling of objective anxiety in the information group was significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Implications are presented for identifying the patients at risk for preoperative anxiety and coping styles and for designing effective interventions to enhance the patient's sense of control. [By kind permission, KoreaMed, Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors.]